That is a very good point. And that was with incosistent QB's and defenses honing in our running game. With Miles' experience with running backs, a much improved QB position, and a strong OL, I expect our running game to be among the top in the nation next year. But at this time, it's just expectations. They still have to deliver.
I agree one ranking won't put much ranking on the guys but it does start to raise expectations on the part of fans and the local media who in turn will howl when things are up to par. This is where the pressure comes from.....from sometimes too high expectations. JMHO.
usc should be first esp if hershal dennis gets back. they have bush, white who is a pounder like A.B. but runs the 40 in the low 4.4's and high 4.3. The also have Dennis who is kinda like J.A. He can do it all. If he comes back it will help them a lot. Also White has to get elligable with summer school. OU has peterson and Jones. Jones could start on 95% of the teams in the nation and prolly over 85% of the SEC teams.Peterson is prolly the best RB in the NCAA. The also have a hell of a FB. Runnels is his name I think. He is very good at catching passes on screens and is also a very good blocker. All three teams USC, OU, and LSU all have outstanding backfields and are interchangeable in the 3 spots.
White is back in the fold at USC as he passed his courses. Dennis will redshirt due to an injury. Jones of OU has never impressed me much. I think they are basing everything on Peterson.
Well, the starting five that played the last four games of the season are back. This group already outrushed Cadillac & Brown last year for the SEC rushing crown, for heaven's sake.
Make your case. LSU was #1 in SEC rushing last year while Auburn was #5. Williams and Brown were great running backs, but LSU's backfield rushed for more yards. Rushing was not the problem last year, passing was.
^I'm not making a case. Obviously, I feel like LSU's running game is very good. However, the general consensus is that Auburn had one of the best rushing attacks in the country last year (or even, past 50 years according to one person). That is regardless of stats - just based on opinions of the 2 running backs there, Cadillac & Brown. They both went in the top 5 picks of the draft. They were just as talented with just as good of stats after their junior year, but they wouldn't have been drafted as highly had they left early. If LSU's running backs were to leave after last year, they wouldn't have been drafted very highly - even though they had better stats than Auburn's awesome duo. All I'm saying is that talent & stats aren't everything - the players (Addai, Broussard, Vincent & Carey) have to go out there & prove to everyone how good they are with consistency. I definitely am NOT trying to argue that LSU's rushing attack is weak or even not one of the best in the country - merely that they still have to go out & prove it.
it will be interesting to see if OU's running game drops with the loss of Jammal Brown to the Saints. I see a sophomore slump due to OU's veteran losses across the board along with frankenstein white and the awesome mark clayton. for people to be looking for knocks about reggie bush is hilarious. the guy is not a bruiser but that isn't the only formula which makes a great running back. he is a combo scat-back dave megget/marshall faulk type who can do just about everything except run between the tackles every down of every play. the guy is legit and a threat to score on any play. who cares how he does it. versatility is the name of today's nfl players and he is definitely that.
what do they have to prove if they led the SEC last year? that their 5th back can rush for 1000 yards? what proof do you need?
