South Carolina Football: Is Marcus Lattimore the Next Adrian Peterson?

At the beginning of this season, there were many analysts saying that Marcus Lattimore could be the next Adrian Peterson.

Peterson had one of the finest freshman running seasons of all time, with ridiculous stats in every category. 

How does Marcus truly stack up to All Day? Let's take a look at the numbers and find out.

Number of Rushes

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 1: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs the football in the third quarter of the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at University of Phoenix Stadium January 1, 2007 in Glendale, Arizona.

During the freshman campaign of Adrian Peterson, he carried the ball 339 times in 13 games for an average of 26 carries per game.

Marcus Lattimore has rushed 202 times in nine games for 22 carries per game.

Also, Lattimore has had nagging injuries through a couple of games, missing half of the Kentucky game and all of the Vanderbilt game.

Advantage: Adrian Peterson

Yards Per Game

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 1: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to break a safety Gerald Alexander #2 of the Boise State Broncos tackle in the first half at the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at University of Phoenix St

In 13 games, Adrian Peterson rushed for an insane 1,925 yards. That is a ridiculous 148 yards per game.

Lattimore has endured his up and down games. His 964 yards in nine games comes out to 107 yards per game. No pauper's meal, but not close to Peterson's mind-blowing freshman year.

Advantage: Adrian Peterson

Touchdowns

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks rushes against Jonathan Bostic #52 of the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

In 13 games, Adrian Peterson found his way into the end zone 15 times. This comes out to 1.15 times per game.

Marcus Lattimore has 14 in nine games. This comes out to 1.55 per game. Finally, Lattimore finds one area he has up on the workhorse back from Oklahoma.

Advantage: Marcus Lattimore

Pass Catching

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Adrian Peterson did not do much in the passing game.

His five catches for 12 yards reveal a bit about the Oklahoma offense...they just didn't target him much.

Lattimore has been a consistent receiving threat. He even went over 100 yards in one half against Kentucky. He has 283 yards receiving with two touchdowns.

Advantage: Marcus Lattimore

Team Performance

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 16: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs against Jarius Byrd #32 of the Oregon Ducks on September 16, 2006 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Even though Marcus Lattimore has led South Carolina to uncharted territory with an SEC East title and a shot at the whole thing, Adrian Peterson's Oklahoma Sooners went to the national championship game (a 55-19 loss against Southern California).

Advantage: Adrian Peterson

Is It a Fair Comparison?

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

NEW YORK - APRIL 28: Running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma poses for a photo after being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings during the 2007 NFL Draft on April 28, 2007 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (Photo by

No.

While the running styles do favor one another (I swear, during some games it really does look like Adrian Peterson in Garnet and Black), Adrian Peterson had one of the best freshman running seasons of all time.

Obviously, this isn't a knock on Marcus Lattimore, my all-time favorite Gamecock player, but more of a testament to the great talent of Peterson.

Lattimore has an overall game that is his own. He probably wants it that way. Maybe in the future, pundits will say that a great young back could be the "next Marcus Lattimore."