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When Alabama visits Baton Rouge, the hype surrounding the SEC West powerhouses will be through the roof as usual. That hasn’t changed over the last decade.
But Leonard Fournette will stand as his own separate story in the game.
Alabama’s stingy defense bottled up Fournette last season, limiting the powerful back to just 31 yards on 19 carries. A year prior, Fournette had a respectable performance, rushing 21 times for 79 yards. Still, that game would not rank among his best, or anywhere close.
It remains to be seen whether the Crimson Tide defense will contain Fournette in the same fashion this season, but all of this speculation leads one to wonder: How has Alabama fared against the greatest SEC running backs of the past?
Of course, when thinking of the conference’s best backs, Herschel Walker comes to mind. However, Alabama was fortunate in never having to face the 1982 Heisman trophy winner.
Here are five of the best, and how they fared against Alabama.
BO JACKSON
The Tide wasn’t as fortunate in dodging another all-time great, Bo Jackson. The 1985 Heisman winner put Auburn in position to win the Iron Bowl in all four of his appearances with standout efforts in each game as his Tigers split those games with the Tide 2-2.
In the 1984 contest, he is notoriously known for running left when the play went right on a 4th-and-Goal play from the 1, potentially costing Auburn the game. However, he had 22 carries for 118 yards and a TD. He also made it to the end zone for a successful 2-point conversion to cut the Alabama lead to 17-15 before Auburn would eventually lose by the same score.
Jackson also put Auburn in position to win the next year, but the defense squandered Auburn’s lead. Alabama kicker Van Tiffin nailed a field goal as time expired for a 25-23 win. Jackson rushed for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns despite playing with two cracked ribs.
Bo got the better of Bama in the first two meetings. He halted Alabama’s nine-game win streak in the rivalry in 1982 by leaping over his own offensive line and into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown as Auburn won 23-22. He had 17 carries for 114 yards and a TD on that day.
Jackson had the best effort of his entire collegiate career in the 23-20 win over the Tide in 1983. Jackson ran 20 times for a career-high 256 rushing yards, including a 71-yard, game-winning touchdown that was the second-longest run while on The Plains.
CARNELL WILLIAMS
Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was another accomplished Auburn back, although his success against Alabama was limited.
In 2001, he didn’t have much of a chance to demonstrate his abilities, receiving just five carries and gaining 39 yards in a 31-7 loss. In 2002, Williams was unable to play against Alabama due to injury, although the Tigers won the game 17-7.
In 2003, Williams had an outstanding performance, carrying the ball 26 times for 204 yards and 2 touchdowns as Auburn won that one, 28-23. In 2004, Williams had his worst outing of the season against Alabama. Williams had 15 carries and managed just 41 yards. However, he did get in the end zone as Auburn won, 21-13. Williams’ score was the 44th of his career, breaking Bo Jackson’s record for most career touchdowns.
KEVIN FAULK
Kevin Faulk had two of LSU’s finest running performances against the Tide. His first two outings were forgettable. In 1995, LSU lost 10-3 to Alabama, unable to generate much offense. The 1996 game was even worse as LSU went scoreless in a 26-0 loss.
In 1997, Faulk finally found some holes in the Tide defense, scoring twice to lead LSU to a 27-0 win against Alabama. In all, he had 27 carries for 168 yards. Faulk’s follow-up performance was even more spectacular although it came in a loss: 30 carries, 201 yards and a touchdown.
EMMITT SMITH
Emmitt Smith only played Alabama once, but his lone outing against the Tide marked not only his first collegiate start but caught the attention of Florida and Alabama coaches alike. Florida upset Alabama 23-14 in 1987 behind Smith’s 39 carries, 224 yards and 2 TDs as he helped the Gators defeat Alabama for the first time since 1963.
Smith broke Florida’s single-game rushing record that day. He would go on to rush for 1,341 yards that season and received some consideration for the Heisman Trophy (ninth place).
DARREN McFADDEN
Darren McFadden had three solid outings against Alabama, although the final outcome was less positive than the aforementioned backs.
In 2005, McFadden had just 8 carries but still managed to rush for 95 yards, an average of 11.9 yards per carry. He also had a touchdown, but Arkansas lost 24-13. In 2006, McFadden received 25 carries and tallied 112 yards with a touchdown. The Razorbacks won a tight contest, 24-23.
In 2007, McFadden had a stellar performance in a losing effort. He finished the game with 33 carries, 195 yards and 2 TDs as Arkansas lost to Alabama 41-38.
