Southern Swag: Top 5 SEC Running Backs Coming into 2011
Over the past decade the SEC has been known to be a defensive struggle week in and week out. In 2011, you will have masterminds such as Will Muschamp, Gene Chizik and Nick Saban roaming the sidelines. When it comes to these coaches who have an aggressive approach to attacking your offense, the best way to battle a great front seven is with a balanced running attack. This list will give a rundown of the top five running backs in the SEC heading into 2011.
5. Tauren Poole (Tennessee)
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The 2010 Associated Press All-SEC Honorable Mention carried the heart of the Vols' offense and gave them fighting chance to win several football games-but Poole's longevity and consistency are still in question by the creamsicle orange faithful.
Poole accumulated 1,034 yards on the ground last season having stellar 100-plus yard performances against Oregon, Alabama and LSU, but this season Poole must show a better improvement down the stretch to give the young Vol quarterbacks a better chance to throw the football. Remember that offense is about balance, and the two aspects must complement each other.
Poole is an exceptional athlete who possesses great ball security and explosiveness through the line of scrimmage. Look for Poole to be a bright spark on a mediocre Tennessee squad in 2011.
4. Michael Dyer (Auburn)
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Michael Dyer (5’9", 215 pounds) was one of the key ingredients in Auburn winning its second national championship since 1957, rushing for 1,093 yards on 182 carries and five touchdowns. But many fans in the state of Alabama still continue to say Gus Malzahn's offensive scheme and a kid named Cam Newton deserve most of the credit.
Spread offenses that run zone reads have been known to only run three to four plays out eight different formations.While many defenses were focused on stopping Cam Newton, the misdirection plays helped the Auburn Tiger running back run wild with solid down-field blocking.
Dyer has a great, short-and-stocky build that gives him great leverage against defenders in the open field (Ex: Huge run late fourth quarter against Oregon), but without the presence of Cam Newton, Lee Ziemba and center Ryan Pugh on the offensive line, Dyer's numbers will fall against the aggressive SEC defenses.
Though Dyer will have trouble shaking the "system" image, expect for him to produce decent numbers in a seven-win season.
3. Knile Davis (Arkansas)
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Though sophomore Knile Davis (6’0", 240 pounds) had an explosive year with 1,322 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns, many fans still want to see if Davis will have issues this season trying to obtain the same numbers without Ryan Mallett under center.
One of the biggest factors in a Petrino offense is having the run open up the pass and vice-versa. This offseason, Davis has gained nine pounds and improved his 40 time to complement the strong passing attack.
Head Coach Bobby Petrino had to say this about Davis' effort this winter and spring. "On the day we tested, he was there for every group," Petrino said. "He watched the guys before him, tested, stayed and watched the guys after him and really understands that's really going to be a big part of his role."
In the latter part of last fall, Davis became stronger as the season progressed. Davis finished with over 134 ypg in his final nine games of the season to finish second in the SEC rushing category.
With a red hot underclassman taking Mallett’s place, look for the same type of numbers from Davis to complement the explosive Razorback passing game.
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2. Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina)
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If it were not for the freshman heroics of Marcus Lattimore’s 1,197 yard performance, the Gamecocks would have struggled to move the ball down the field with Stephen Garcia’s inconsistent play at quarterback en route to the SEC Championship game.
His uncanny ability to stay patient in the backfield led to his name being used in conversations as the one of the nation's best running backs during the 2010 season.
When recruited out of high school, Spurrier did the unusual and danced the Cha-Cha Slide for Lattimore's mom during the process.
If we continue to see productive numbers from Marcus Lattimore, you can bet Spurrier will continue to Cha-Cha Slide on the sidelines while Lattimore accumulates a majority of the end of the year awards in the SEC.
One of the reasons why Lattimore is once again looking to dominate in 2011? He has bulked up to 231 pounds this off season. Uh-oh..
1. Trent Richardson (Alabama)
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With Mark Ingram healing after an early season knee surgery to begin the 2010 season, the Crimson Tide offense didn't miss a beat as Richardson (5’11’’, 211 pounds) stepped in and gave a fantastic performance of explosiveness, elusiveness and speed.
After a groundbreaking 2009 campaign that helped the Crimson Tide win the 2009 National Championship, he then began to show wear and tear as he was slowed down in the latter part of 2010 campaign with a knee injury.
If you sit and talk to many Crimson Tide fans and students, they will describe him as a bowling ball due to his freakish ability to gain yards after contact. But Richardson's 2010 injury brings a question into the minds of Tide fans: How will he adjust to now being the feature back for the Nick Saban's offense?
With trips into the Swamp versus Will Muschamp’s defense and a healthy SEC conference slate that is sure not to be a cake walk, Richardson must stay healthy to become the Heisman contender pundits are predicting him to be.
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