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The SEC is known for running the rock.
When I did a breakdown of how the SEC performs vs. other Power 5 conferences in getting players drafted on a position-by-position basis prior to this year’s event, it was no surprise that the SEC sent the most running backs.
After all, the research showed that the SEC led the other leagues in seven of the 10 charted position groups over the previous 10 drafts.
However, it was a bit alarming to see how big the gap was when it came to running backs which, other than defensive linemen, have been produced by the SEC at a larger margin than any position.
That trend held true in the 2016 NFL Draft as seven of the 20 backs taken hailed from the SEC, and though that data was limited to the last decade, the tradition of legendary running backs and the ground games they spearheaded go back much further.
So, which schools will field the most productive rushing offenses in 2016? Here are the top five in reverse order:
5. Arkansas
Arkansas gets a slight nod over Alabama to crack the list. Both schools are in a very similar position offensively entering this season as the Razorbacks and Tide both lost their starting quarterbacks — and redshirt juniors are on tap to replace them — while saying farewell to their two most talented running backs.
However, the two schools are loaded with weapons at receiver, have very promising replacements in the backfield and should be fine on the offensive line (Alabama LT Cam Robinson’s arraignment date is set for June 16).
Both offenses were extremely balanced last season as they were the only two units to rank among the top five in the SEC in passing yards per game and rushing yards per game.
That balance should continue, considering the proven weapons that each team has coming back.
However, look for the Razorbacks to rely on their running game a little more this season while Austin Allen picks things up. At least in the early going as Bret Bielema and Co. look to keep spread offenses like TCU and Texas A&M off the field, two teams that struggled to stop the run last season.
If Devwah Whaley — the No. 3 RB in the Class of 2016 — needs little time to make a big impact, that may form a scary three-headed monster with Rawleigh Williams III and Kody Walker.
4. Auburn
The regression in the running game during Gus Malzahn’s three years as the head coach in The Plains is apparent.
Auburn led the nation in rushing in 2013 with 328.3 yards per game, more than the likes of even Navy and Army. That average was nearly 100 yards more than the second-best team in the conference (Missouri with 237.9).
In 2013, the Tigers averaged 6.3 yards per rush before that dropped to 5.5 in 2014 (second in the SEC) and then just 4.4 in 2015 (10th in the SEC).
It’s no coincidence that Malzahn’s job is on the line at the same time his bread and butter just had its worst-tasting season to date.
However, there’s no question that Auburn will running it plenty this season. In those three seasons under Malzahn, the team led the SEC in rushing attempts per game in 2013 and was second in 2014 and 2015.
Plus, senior Jovon Robinson gave him every reason to have confidence in doing so with how he performed towards the end of last season, rushing for 619 yards on 113 carries over the final six games. He’ll be complimented by Roc Thomas, Kerryon Johnson and Malik Miller.
With the uncertainty at quarterback, the team’s backfield should get plenty of work.
3. Georgia
In 2015, Georgia was just outside of the top five in rushing yards per game (192.2) and finished second in the SEC in yards per carry (5.1).
That was without star running back Nick Chubb for basically the last eight games of the season.
With a healthy Chubb and Sony Michel, who rushed for 1,161 yards and 8 TDs last season, it’s a safe bet to say the Bulldogs will be in the top five in the SEC. Chubb and Michel are arguably the most talented one-two punch in any backfield across the country.
In 2014, with Chubb on the field, Georgia ranked first in the SEC and sixth among Power 5 conferences in rushing yards per game (257.9).
Of course, there are questions surrounding Chubb as he recovers from a major injury, but he seems ahead of schedule and could be available Week 1 against North Carolina.
The Bulldogs are in the same boat as the two previous teams on this list as they all turn the page at quarterback, but first-year coach Kirby Smart’s sailing with two proven talents behind his new signal-caller.
2. Tennessee
Nobody ran the ball more than the Vols did in 2015. Tennessee led the conference with 47.5 rushes per game, which was also fifth among all Power 5 conferences.
To put that into perspective, UT only had 25 fewer total carries than Alabama, which played two extra games with a Heisman-winning running back who had the second-most carries in the country.
Can you blame them? That should be the case when you have a running back tandem like Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara to go with QB Josh Dobbs’ wheels.
When it was all said and done, Hurd and Kamara combined for almost 2,500 yards from scrimmage with 24 TDs. Dobbs went for 671 yards with 11 TDs.
Like Georgia, Tennessee’s running game is deadly because of how well their two running backs compliment each other’s skill sets. However, Dobbs’ playmaking ability from inside the pocket adds a whole different dimension.
With four of five returning starters on the offensive line, the Vols’ ground game will be tough to stop.
1. LSU
With that said, LSU averaged 33 more rushing yards per game than Tennessee last season with 257.4, which ranked seventh in the FBS and third among Power 5 conferences. Only Baylor and Oregon were better.
However, there was only one school that was more productive on a per-rush basis, and that was Georgia Southern.
LSU’s 6.1 yards per carry as a team was exactly one full yard better than Georgia and Ole Miss, who were tied for second in the SEC. In fact, that average is tied for third-best in SEC history.
While Tennessee may look to open up its offense as receiving threats emerged in spring practice, LSU will ride its potential Heisman candidate in Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice.
There’s no doubt that the Tigers have a talented tandem in Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural, and they’ll get touches, but the quick and powerful Guice will have offensive coordinator Cam Cameron feeling inclined to keep it on the ground at times.
The sophomore showed plenty of potential in his debut season with 436 yards on 51 carries with 3 TDs. His 8.6 yards per carry comfortably led all qualifying SEC running backs.
Darrel Williams and Nick Brossette, with an extra year under their belts, will also have Cameron steadily feeding the Tigers’ backfield.
And like Tennessee, LSU has key players returning up front with Ethan Pocic, Toby Weathersby, Will Clapp and Maea Teuhema.
Born and raised in Gainesville, Talal joined SDS in 2015 after spending 2 years in Bristol as an ESPN researcher. Previously, Talal worked at The Gainesville Sun.
