SEC Football: Top 10 Rushing Offenses (1992-2007)

While the '03 Tigers were primarily known for their defense, it was the play of Addai and freshman Justin Vincent that helped carry the Tigers to the title in 2003.  Vincent cracked the 1,000-yard mark and added 117 and a touchdown against Oklahoma to win the National Championship.

Their fates have gone different ways since—Addai, who was really upstaged by Vincent as the season wore on, finished his career strong at LSU and went on to great success as Edgerrin James' replacement in Indianapolis, winning the Super Bowl in his rookie season.

Vincent and Broussard both saw injuries and more young talent derail their careers—Broussard would transfer and Vincent saw his numbers continually decline.  But at least for this one season, these three combined with incredible defense to help carry the Tigers home.

 

8. '96 Florida - Fred Taylor, Terry Jackson, Elijah Williams

While most will forever remember the Gators' 96 National Championship team for Danny Wuerffel and the enormous talent at wide receiver, it was those strengths that allowed for plenty of running room for these guys.

Taylor and Jackson were especially good at both catching passes and turning out huge runs when least expected, including backbreaking gains in the Sugar Bowl against Florida State.  Without their efforts, the Gator offense is nothing more than passing yards, and they never win all those games and championships.  

Fred Taylor, who had greater individual success the following season in Gainesville, is still playing on Sundays down in Jacksonville.  He cracked 10,000 career yards last season and could very easily make the Hall of Fame.

 

7. '02 Arkansas - Cedric Cobbs & Fred Talley

The precursor to McFadden and Jones, Cobbs and Talley had a rockier history but still produced an SEC West title for the Razorbacks in 2002.

Cobbs had more name recognition going into the '02 season, but some off the field troubles shifted the spotlight to Talley, who finished with 1,119 yards, including a midseason stretch where he dropped 241 on Auburn, 182 on Kentucky, and then 136 on Ole Miss.

While neither was really able to catch on in the NFL and may end up being much overshadowed by the '07 duo in Fayetteville, these guys left their mark on Arkansas football.

 

6. '96 LSU - Kevin Faulk & Rondell Mealey

Kevin Faulk was the face of LSU football almost his entire career and finished second on the SEC's all-time rushing list, behind only Herschel Walker.  His all-purpose totals, just shy of 7,000 yards in four years, put him atop the SEC's all-time list.

Mealey was the other option who outgained Faulk on few occasions but provided a nice change of pace.  Although LSU did upend No. 1 Florida the following year, Faulk was an All-American in '96, so we went with this year.

Both were drafted, and Faulk has enjoyed one of the longest tenures with the same team since draft day in recent memory, playing nine years with the New England Patriots as a solid all-purpose option and picking up three Super Bowl rings along the way.

The '03 group from LSU has the rings, but I'd be much more afraid of this duo in their prime.

 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?