Entering the season with the most question marks of any backfield in the experienced SEC West, Ole Miss ranks near the bottom of the division. Only Arkansas lost more than the Rebels did at running back with the loss of their three leading rushers. The transition to a Houston Nutt offense gives Ole Miss an advantage over the Razorbacks as new head coach Bobby Petrino will air it out with Casey Dick under center.
The race for the top spot in the West comes down to a choice between talent or results. Mississippi State returns the most yardage of any team, but it is LSU's stable of highly-recruited backs that get the nod for the top spot. The dismissal of quarterback Ryan Perrilloux will mean the Tigers will be dependent upon their running game, which will come at the benefit of Keiland Williams and Charles Scott.
Picking between the top four teams is a tough task given the amount of experience each team possesses. Coming in behind Mississippi State is Alabama who has a running back tandem in Terry Grant and Glenn Coffee which rivals the Bulldogs duo of Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre. State gets the edge given an offense built around moving the chains on the ground.
Auburn's transition to a spread offense under Tony Franklin might mean less carries for the Tiger backs, but they have two good running backs to choose from.
1. LSU
After losing Jacob Hester to the NFL, the defending national champs will look to senior Keiland Williams to carry the team's ground attack. Williams tallied 478 yards and six touchdowns last season. Charles Scott, who racked up 324 yards and five scores last season, will also receive considerable playing time.
2. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs return their leading rusher from a year ago in Anthony Dixon. Last season, Dixon gained 1,066 yards while scoring 14 touchdowns on 287 carries. Christian Ducre, who rushed for 487 yards and three scores a year ago, will likely back up Dixon. Redshirt freshman Robert Elliot is also in the mix for MSU.
3. Alabama
Nick Saban's team posses arguably the best one-two punch at tailback in the SEC West. Terry Grant and Glen Coffee are both returning after solid seasons a year ago. Grant accumulated 891 yards and eight scores, while Coffee ran for 545 yards and four touchdowns.
4. Auburn
The Tigers are also returning their leading rusher from last season: Ben Tate. However, it is Auburn's second-leading rusher from last season, Brad Lester, who looks to be the frontrunner for the starting slot after a good spring. Lester ran for 530 yards and three scores in 2007.
5. Ole Miss
Junior Cordera Eason is the likely candidate to earn the starting nod. However, the Rebels will most likely use three tailbacks this season. Highly-touted freshman Enrique Davis and fellow freshman Brandon Bolden are expected to both see some playing time.
6. Arkansas
The Razorback's took a huge hit as they lost their three leading rushers from a season ago to the NFL. With Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis out the door, the Razorback's are left with an inexperienced running backs corps. Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett look to be the leading candidates for the starting job. Smith gained 303 yards and scored three times last season, while Barnett totaled 136 yards and one touchdown.
