Stack-Ups: You Know What I Like About {Blank} Edition
by Ivory Tower on Jul 30, 2009 8:00 AM EDT
24 comments
We all know what makes him happy.
RUNNING BACKS. Hit the hole.
In a league that is, generally, proud of its defenses, I submit to you that there is only one position about which every team in the SEC West is, at least, satisfied - and that position is running backs. Moreover, I think it is no stretch to say that every team in the SEC West ought to be excited about its running backs (a position which has held remarkably true in recent history). Every team except the Rebels return at least one player who has recorded 800 or more yards in a previous season. Arkansas and LSU return 1,000 yard rushers. And of 2008's Top 10 backs in the SEC, all five returning are from the SEC's Western Division. The division is a Brandon Bolden breakout season away from potentially having a 1,000 yard back at every school. To-wit:
ALABAMA
Running behind a depleted, but still talented offensive line will be, likely, Mark Ingram with a more than sufficient back-up in Terry Grant. Ingram complemented Glen Coffee's thousand-yard effort with 728 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5.1 per carry. Julio Jones is the sophomore about which all Tiders rave, however, a solid season by Ingram is that thing which will draw defenses away from Jones.
ARKANSAS
Michael Smith returns with more yards per game than any other back in the conference at 107.2 (which is only a hair behind the overall 2008 leader, Knowshon Moreno, at 107.8). In 2008, The Cup predicted Arkansas to trail its Western brethren in rushing prowess. Technically, this was a fairly accurate assesment, since the rest of the team only average 6.3 rushing yards per game. With the offense figuring to focus on Ryan Mallett's arm, Smith, who tore a hamstring against Mississippi State but was recently declared "one hundred percent," might take a step back this season. Even if he doesn't, the 'Hogs will need true freshman Knile Davis to be his complement, and this writer is not in the business of relying on true freshmen.
AUBURN
Someone can likely find where this writer predicted high times for Auburn when its backs had the ball in 2008. That never, so much, panned out. Blame Tony Franklin, it's what everyone else is doing. Between Brad Lester, Mario Fannin, and Ben Tate, it seemed that Auburn would find a go-to guy, but they never did. Now, Fannin and Tate are back (now coached by The Great Malzahn) with a feel that is not quite McCluster/Davis or McFadden/Jones, but certainly some talent and the odds-on-favorite to be the centerpiece of the War Eagle offense. If nothing else, Ben Tate ought to be able to handle a lot of carries en route to a yeoman's millenial mark, while Fannin provides some occasional spark.
LSU
Charles Scott stormed the SEC in the first half of 2008, but cooled off down the stretch, leaving many some apparently nobody wondering if he will again rush for 1,000 yards. This team also still has notable Orgeron almost Keiland Williams on the bench, either of whom will be running behind Ciron Black, the First Team All-SEC Left Tackle. But Scott earned 10, 28, and 65 yards in his last three games. Makes me wonder if somebody else will be taking the carries for the haberdasher in '09.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
I have great scorn for Anthony Dixon. It all started in 2007 when Dixon, after a decent game in a win over Ole Miss, was invited to the Conerly Trophy presentation along with Titus Brown, who ought to have won, and Southern Miss doofus Damien Fletcher, who did actually win. Thus, Benjarvus Green-Ellis was deprived of a meaningless honor (that last season went to a quarterback from Millsaps over two first-round draft picks) his senior season, and I was bitter. Still am. Also, Anthony Dixon is ugly. He will, though, I expect, rush for over 1,000, lending credence to the oft-repeated misconception that offense exists in Starkville.
OLE MISS
Between Cordera Eason, Enrique Davis, Brandon Bolden, and Dexter McCluster, many of us are excited. We return every bit of the second-ranked rushing attack in 2008. Our offensive line will take a step back, but there is more than enough reason to remain undaunted in your Rebel rushing enthusiasm.
On a conclusory note ...
The SEC West is as stacked in the backfield as it has ever been, even though there is no Cadillac or D-Mac in the group. Making this, perhaps, the most difficult stack-up to guage. Nevertheless, what follows is a best-guess sort:
1. Alabama
2. Ole Miss
3. LSU
4. Mississippi State
5. Auburn
6. Arkansas
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I still can't believe...
that you though Michael Smith was going to suck.
Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.
by Juco All-American on Jul 30, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions
Is the goal...
to be as inaccurate with predictions as possible to get people talking?
I think that might work, because there’s almost no way you can put Arky last and Alabama first. To assume that Arky will pass the ball more doesn’t effect the talent they have at RB.
I’d put Auburn last because Ben Tate will most likely be their starter and he would not be the starter at any of the other five SEC West schools.
If I predict it, there's an 50 percent chance it happens.
by One Man To Beat on Jul 30, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions
^^^^But it does *affect*...^^^
…how many carries Smith will get.
At Louisville, Brian Brohm, et al’s passing yardage increased each year under Petrino…
2003: 3389
2004: 3463
2005: 3523
2006: 3770
While Michael Bush’s & co.’s rushing yardage declined… for the most part…
2003: 3100+
2004: 3000+
2005: 2200+
2006: 2400+
Anyway, my point is, Arkansas tailbacks only halved their doppelgangers’ effort with about 1400ish yards last year. BUM BUM BUM. So Arkansas’ ground attack will need to DOUBLE last year’s efforts if it wants to match the heralded performance of Petrino’s offensive squads at Louisville (and that is the expectation of the fan base, isn’t it?). But against defenses in the West? Ha, dream on.
However, in possible good news if you’re a GAYzorback (see what I did there?), Arkansas is already well on it’s way to the 3000++ passing yard expectation, and they did this last year with Casey Dick of all people. I mean, if they’dve thought to start lobbing the ball up over our short DBs before the 4th quarter, they’dve probably put up 3000++ on us alone. So, what if Ryan Mallet, they hyp-ee, is automatically good for another 1000 yards of offense as fans, the hyp-ers, have prognosticated? Nevermind that 4000 yards passing to 1000 yards rushing on a season seems downright silly (this is the SEC!!! Arrrrgh!!), if it happens (it won’t) then Ivory Tower placing Arkansas’ rushing game last would be… oh, God… he’d be… right.
Michael Bush
is a bad example. He suffered through injuries as a junior and didn’t play as a senior due to a broken leg.
Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.
by Juco All-American on Jul 30, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Hence "& co."...
…although I can’t name off the top of my head who ran after him, that’s EXACTLY my point, that Arkansas has still only halved that production with a pretty good back. A lot of this has to do with respective conferences, obviously. But to live up to Petrino offensive success, they’ll have double their yards. That won’t happen, but neither will they finish last in rushing. Especially with State losing wide receivers but still trying to run the spread, what’s Dixon really gonna be able to do? State has a bad history of good backs trying to shoulder too much of the load. So I’d put Arkansas up at 4 at least.
I’m also afraid that they’re potential strengths on offense play against our potential weaknesses on defenses. And Arkansas IS going to determine who goes to Atlanta with an upset or two along the way.
Arky fans
Don’t expect the offensive production seen at Louisville. They just want to beat that cheatin’, lyin’, woman chasin’, no recroootin’ SOB HOUSTIN NUTTTt
Smith might get less carries, but it doesn’t mean he’ll get less touches. He’ll be a more all around back than Dixon could ever hope to be. Dixon thinks all around means being able to drink champagne, wine, beer and liquor all while driving a car.
And don’t you affect-effect me.
If I predict it, there's an 50 percent chance it happens.
by One Man To Beat on Jul 30, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions
Fewer.
Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.
by Juco All-American on Jul 30, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Say what you want ...
… but Mark Ingram is a feature-back that got a ton of yards last year in a secondary role and will see lots of touches. Terry Grant would start at three other SEC West schools. Alabama gets first because they were barely behind the 2008 SEC West leader in rushing, they’re returning talent is no great drop-off, and their running game will be a greater focus of the offense.
Arkansas gets last because they have, literally, nobody else with any kind of record in the backfield besides Michael Smith (there is no “And Co.,” to go with Smith). And Smith will not be the focus of the offense.
One Man, offer me a wager about Auburn’s and Arkansas’ respective finishes in rushing offense.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
Don't forget
Incoming freshman Trent Richardson, who looks to overtake Grant’s role as THIRD rusher behind Roy Upchurch who we hope will be healthy.
Roy looks effin GREAT running the draw play out of the shotgun
LSU gets second based on their ability to enforce the run on our insane D last year.
The opening run by Enrique Davis that informed me that “shit this is going to be another one of THOSE Ole Miss games” is noted
1. Evil Empire
2. LS-poo
3. Ole Piss
4. Mississippi Steer University
5. infected Anal Ulcer
6. Ar wedon’tpaveourfuckingroadsandmakedrivingtoourgamescompletehell kansas
WARNING small parts that could be a choking hazard
Empires...
Win their bowl games.
Quit being a homer, and look at the real stats, Charles Scott put up 10 total yards against Ole Miss’ defense in the valley. Try looking from a direction that isn’t Tuscaloosa.
So...
using Utah to insult Alabama huh? Losing streak kinda takes away your insult Ammo, trust me I know (see Iron Bowl’s 2003-2008 for details)
It wasn’t me it was Doyle Jackson, so please do calm down
AND I gave props to Enrique Davis, who I would like to remind All Awbarn fans chose Ole Miss after being considered a five star running back lock for them. So I guess that means Seastrunk and Dyer will be playing for ya’ll huh?
And I do… look… from a direction…
that was a really weird insult dood. I mean I get it, I’m a homer. Technically I’m worse than a homer, I’m a Bammer
WARNING small parts that could be a choking hazard
by Wallacewade04 on Jul 30, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
^this guy^
Is quickly becoming one of my favorite commentors. However, I will disagree with your placement of LSU simply because I am an Ole Miss fan. I don’t mean to suggest a nefarious bias, but rather to demonstrate Charles Scott’s inability to impress the Rebel faithful with his pathetic 10 yards on 10 carries against our D last season.
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by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jul 30, 2009 5:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm not saying that LSU won't be up there...
I’m just saying that this it is suspect to believe under your particular criteria, especially when you place your home team first.
I’ll agree with the top 3. I actually think Charles Scott and Keiland Williams will have a good year. However, I would move Arkansas up to number 4.
He is their “only” guy but Dixon is also MSU’s “only” guy. I’ll take Smith over Dixon
Every day of the week. Add to the fact that Arkansas will have a better passing game this year with Mallet at the helm and that will make Smith even more effective. Teams will focus on Dixon because he’s their best player and really all they have offensively.
I would venture to put Auburn in front of MSU as well due to them having more than one option at RB. Yes, that means I’m not ready to count Robert “Rock tha Deuce” Elliot as a reliable option yet.
My stack would be
1. Alabama
2. Ole Miss
3. LSU
4. Arkansas
5. Auburn
6. MSU
by Rebels22 on Jul 30, 2009 10:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think this ranking is absurd...
Arkansas is much better than 6th. Especially now that Broderick Green can play immediately.
My ranking:
Alabama
Arkansas
Ole Miss
LSU
MSU
Auburn
Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.
by Juco All-American on Jul 31, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
Yowza
THAT is switching things up dood… ranking arky ahead of the rebs….
I salute your willingness to be flamed by your fellow rebels
WARNING small parts that could be a choking hazard
by Wallacewade04 on Jul 31, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
This is not a homer blog.
Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.
by Juco All-American on Jul 31, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Last?
Ranking the Hogs last shows just how discontect from reality the (former) Red Solo Cup is. Everything about the Hogs is better this season than last (even the defense, which isn’t saying much). I hope the Rebels enjoy their paper-thin schedule and take of advantage of it while they can. ESPN won’t be impressed by beating up on Northern Arizona and Central Arkansas (see 2012-2013) forever.
I think you mean...
“…how disconect*ed* from reality Ivory Tower is.”
JuCo, Ghost, and One Man have all offered their own take and opined otherwise. The last thing you find around here are sheep. They get slaughtered and thrown into WW’s jambalaya.
But they will be impressed by
Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Texas.
I also think ranking Arkansas last is inaccurate. There, we can agree on something.
Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.
by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Jul 31, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
What does my ranking of Arkansas last among running back corps in the SEC West
have to do with Ole Miss’ poor scheduling? I don’t doubt that Arkansas will be better across the board (even in the running game). Everyone is expecting the Hawgs to improve in Year 2 under Bobby Petrino. This, however, does not detract from my expectation that they will be among the SEC’s cellar in rushing offense.
My co-authors, obviously, expect differently.
My expectations are based on returning personnel and how that personnel will be used. Based on these observations of reality, my projections are not iron-clad (which ones are?), but they are certainly defensible and well-connected to reality.
What is not connected to reality, is an argument about running back units in 2009 that devolves into an argument about strength of schedule in 2013.
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].
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