LSU's running game in the first 1/2 of the year was exactly as Tirk described it. Weak and ineffective. Our numbers were grossly exaggerated because of who we played in the first 1/2 of the season. The numbers don't lie. When we needed a running game vs a quality SEC opponent, we failed, until the Tennessee game, which was in the later part of the season, and we all noted the improvement. The OLine showed improvement and that is what will dictate our running game. The stats are below: Rushing Passing vs Arizona 241 230 vs Tulane 172 188 vs MSU 125 338 vs Auburn 56 269 vs Florida 92 228 vs Tenn 259 247
Correct me if my memory is failing me. Until 3 or 4 games left last year LSU kept playing RB by committee. NO ONE could play long enough to get a rhythm. Then KW was left in for longer stretches and more situations; voilà, the game picked up. It may have been the clearing house or some other reason, but I recall being frustrated by this play 2, sit 6 rotation that Miles had going. The air game was making big enough plays and Miles (or Jimbo) kept tinkering with the running game instead of putting someone out there and letting them prove to be the answer. As for AU, I don't see Lester lasting the full year. Ben Tate will end up with the carries, and that isn't a bad thing. http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tate_ben00.html HIGH SCHOOL: Set Maryland state records for yards rushing in a career (5,920) and a season (2,886) ... In 37 career games played, rushed 542 times for 5,920 yards and 78 touchdowns, averaging 10.9 yards per carry and 160 yards per game ... Also added 210 career receiving yards ... Set the state single-season rushing record as a junior, totaling 2,886 yards and 41 touchdowns, averaging 221.4 yards per game ... Ran for 2,069 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior, averaging 12.9 yards per carry, while leading his team to a state runner-up finish ... Also set the Maryland record for total offensive yards in a career with 6,123 ... Gatorade State Player of the Year as a senior and a consensus all-state pick ... Also earned first-team all-state honors as a junior ... Baystate Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2005 ... Ranked No. 6 nationally among running backs I know a lot of folk are talking about Enrique Davis, but not sure if he is qualified yet.
Fortunately, we get Moo U right out the box this year. Maybe they'll get us going in the right direction from Jump St.!
I'm not as sold on Keiland's performance last year as some of ya'll. He showed a lot of promise and has great measurables, but he needs to improve on running between the tackles, not going down so easily, blocking, and catching out of the backfield. It really speaks to his ability that he was able to average 5.7 yards/carry without being a really developed RB. I think he'll improve on these areas & be a great RB, but he wasn't quite there last year. Hester doesn't have pro ability as a TB, but he's a very solid dependable one in college. He's great at catching out of the backfield & I look forward to seeing how Crowton uses him, although I'd prefer most of the carries go between Keiland & Murphy. I think BenJarvis Green-Ellis & Anthony Dixon are 2 underrated RBs who could do much better on good teams. It is tough to tell how good Felix Jones is. Arkansas had great blocking last year, maybe the best in the country and Jones also had McFadden wearing out opposing defenses. A lot of people think Jones is underrated because he's behind McFadden, but I really question if is yards/carry would be any better as the primary back at a different school. Georgia's RBs almost always seem to be "overrated". They have been good the past few years, but they never live up to being the great running team that they are supposed to be with as many talented RBs they have.
Keiland Williams is going to be a great one, but he was grass green last season and didn't even get to practice in August. He didn't know the offense well, he couldn't pick up the blitz, and he didn't demonstrate a pass-catching ability. Late in the season he learned how to run the football effectively, but Hester was in on third downs because he was and still is the most experienced and versatile back. He'll be gone next year, so this is the season for Murphy, Williams, and Scott to develop a blocking and receiving game as well as the run. Gary Crowton is going to throw to five receivers. He's going to use a lot of one-back sets. A back that can't pick up the blitz, won't be the single-back. We're going to see the fullback Hester in the single-back set a lot until a tailback steps up with a complete game
It is who has the best set of backs that really matters...and we are near the top. So are Georgia, Alabama, and Auburn...even though they lack a "top name" guy.
they certainly can lie. i dont know the #s for the UF game, but one possibility for the low rushing yd total is less attempts because of the need to play catchup. yds/attempt would be better to judge with.
