Auburn Football Preview: Wealth at Running Back

The main criticism of Auburn's new Spread Eagle offense (props to whoever first came up with that) is the perception that Auburn will no longer be able to run the football. Most non-Auburn fans (read: Alabama) believe that Auburn's days as Running Back U are behind them.

No more Bo. No more Cadillac and Ronnie. No more Kenny or Rudi. Auburn will become Texas Tech or Hawaii. Lots of pretty passing numbers, but few meaningful wins or championships.

Fear not Auburn nation. Commodore Franklin wants to assure you that none of this will happen on his watch. He wants you to know that Auburn is still looking for great, big time backs. "I have never watched a film and saw a great one and said 'He doesn't really fit," Franklin said.

Offensive tackle Lee Ziemba is also adamant about Auburn's continued belief in the running game. "It's still Auburn football. We're still going to run the ball down people's throats, but we are going to have a good passing game, too," Ziemba said while making a chopping motion with his hand that would have made Greg Schiano proud.

Having said all that, here is a preview of the likely contributors this year at running back.

Brad Lester, Senior

While he is sometimes typcasted as a scat back because of his relatively small build, Lester has shown surprising strength (seen here at the 2:45 mark). He has good, not great speed with decent vision.

Though he did not get many opportunities to catch passes in the Al Borges' offense, he appears to have good hands as well and should get plenty of chances to show them this season.

Lester only played in seven games last season but still finished second on the team in both rushing yards (530) and attempts (125). Chancellor Franklin raved about how Lester "stands out and flashes out" during the practices leading to the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

Prognosis: Lester will avoid injury and suspension for the first time in his career and get the lions' share of the carries. He will finish with over 1,000 yards and add another 300 through the air.

Ben Tate, Junior

A lot of fans, Auburn included, seem to think Ben Tate is a below average running back. They point to his supposed lack of breakaway speed.

What is not often talked about when discussing Tate is his great vision and patience. He does a good job of waiting for holes to develop and bursting through those holes when the time is right.

Another area of Tate's game not often mentioned is his pass catching skills. He was fifth in receptions (16) and sixth in yards receiving (144). Tate also led Auburn with 903 yards rushing and in rushing touchdowns with eight.

Prognosis: Tate finishes second on the team in both rushing yards and attempts while splitting carries with Brad Lester. Tate's highlight reel for the year includes him truck sticking Eric Berry ala Ronnie Brown over Jason Allen.

Mario Fannin, Sophomore

Instead of listing the plethora of things Mario Fannin can do, how about we start with what he can't. He hasn't yet (an important word) solved the Solar neutrino problem, found the source of gamma ray bursts, and he can't raise the dead.

But kidding aside (not that I am one to kid), Fannin might play every skill position on offense. That includes quarterback.

"He's going to play a lot of positions. He's going to play slot receiver, and the 'Y, X and Z' spots. He'll be a move guy, like a small tight end. He'll be in the backfield, too. He could be a quarterback...He's the kind of guy you move around," Tuberville told Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News.

Fannin finished last season third in rushing yards (448) and fifth in receiving yards (176). He also led the team with an impressive 5.3 yards per carry.

Prognosis: Fannin will take the term jack of all trades to new heights next season. He will resemble a more powerful, less shifty version of the Florida Gator Swiss army knife Percy Harvin. Fannin's 2010 draft stock goes through the roof.

Running back/ kick return specialist Tristan Davis could also have a major impact in Auburn's rushing attack. Davis' playing time hinges upon the health of the above mentioned running backs and if Davis can keep his foot healthy for the entire season.

Though this is a time of change and new ideas, Auburn will still be a run first, pass second team. As Coach Tuberville often says, "The best way to win in the SEC is play good defense and run the ball effectively."

Full version of the article, with pretty pictures, can be found at The Pigskin Pathos.