Stacked Running Game Could Mean Success for Vanderbilt Commodores

It's not very often that Vanderbilt can say they're stacked in a certain area on offense, but they would have a good case for their running game in 2011.

The Commodores could very well end up using at least three running backs this season, and all three of them bring something unique to the table.

By far the best running back the Commodores have is junior Warren Norman, who led the SEC in all-purpose yards in 2009.

Last season Norman was hampered by a wrist injury causing him to miss the last four games of the season.

Norman is one of those dynamic backs that can change the number on the scoreboard in so many ways, and the Commodores will lean on him heavily this season.

The potential success of the Commodores' run game is certainly not limited to Norman.

Junior Zac Stacy is another highly-regarded running back that will get a ton of touches in 2011. Like Norman, Stacy's season was cut short due to an injury in the form of a concussion.

Stacy is a bruising running back that will be relied on to pick up those critical short-yardage first downs. The Commodores struggled greatly in that department last season.

Norman and Stacy are obviously the two main guys at running back, and they'll have to stay healthy for the Commodores to climb out of the cellar of the SEC East.

However, there are other running backs that will get their fair amount of chances to contribute to an offense that is known for struggling in arguably the best defensive conference in the country.

One of those guys is sophomore Wesley Tate, who is the younger brother of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate.

Tate got a chance to see the field more than planned in his freshman season thanks to injuries to Norman and Stacy last season.  He made the most of his limited touches on offense, including a solid game against Florida where he averaged nearly six yards a carry.

These three guys will most likely not be the only guys to see touches in the running game.

The possible success of the running game this season isn't limited to the running backs.

It's been speculated that Franklin could end up using an occasional fullback or tight end in the running game, even including one of the better tight ends in the SEC in Brandon Barden.

Power football has always been a staple of the prototypical SEC offense, and the Commodores look to be much improved in that area this season.

Then you also have senior Larry Smith at quarterback, who has good enough legs to edge out first downs when needed.

He's not the most athletic running quarterback, but he definitely has the talent to bolster up the running game even more.

Smith's biggest problem is panicking when he takes off running, which contributed heavily to his seven fumbles and five interceptions.

Of course the quarterback and wide receiver positions are still very much a question mark, but the loaded running game should make the Commodores much more competitive in the SEC than they have been in a long time.

In the end the Commodores should experience success in the running game in 2011 considering how talented they are, and based on the fact they only face off against two top-25 rush defenses from 2010.