Due to injuries, suspensions and in some cases developmental curves that fell below lofty expectations, the SEC didn’t quite have the historic season at running back that seemed possible in August.

But it did mean that the conference flexed its backfield depth often this season, with several teams fielding multiple standouts.

Mississippi State, Florida, South Carolina and even Missouri have strong arguments for the fifth spot in our rankings, but those ultimately fell to a handful of old standbys.

What do you think?

Position group rankings:
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive lines
Defensive ends
Defensive tackles
Linebackers
Cornerbacks
Safeties
Quarterbacks
Kickers/Punters

5. LSU: Josh Robinson clearly had a better season than any of LSU’s running backs, but the Tigers edge Mississippi State when we examine the collective backfield. Freshman Leonard Fournette barely missed our Top 10 list for individual SEC backs, but only because of a somewhat slow start to his college career. Seniors Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard aren’t as talented, but each managed 100-yard games. Freshman Darrel Williams made good contributions as the fourth back, and Connor Neighbors is a menacing fullback.

4. Auburn: The Tigers missed RB Tre Mason and FB Jay Prosch in 2014. But Cameron Artis-Payne is no slouch and performed very well in coach Gus Malzahn’s offense. The workhorse touched the ball 289 times in 12 games. Corey Grant had a better yards per carry and touchdown rate, but only carried the ball 55 times, which is somewhat of a surprise. Freshman Roc Thomas is the future and dipped his feet into the SEC waters this season. The three backs also combined for 28 receptions.

3. Alabama: The Crimson Tide didn’t feature the usual devastating, road-grading offensive line. T.J. Yeldon’s junior season wasn’t All-SEC, much less Heisman-worthy. At best, Derrick Henry met the low end of expectations. A number of running backs have transferred in recent years and screen aficionado Kenyan Drake got hurt. It’s a testimant to Alabama’s sheer volume of talent that the Tide still rank this high, with Jalston Fowler, Tyren Jones and Altee Tenpenny all contributing.

2. Arkansas: Sure, Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins benefitted from strong run-blocking in front of them. But two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season? That’s terrific by any standard. We ranked them No. 4 and No. 5 within the conference’s Top 10 individual running backs. The backfield could’ve been even better if Korliss Marshall had played the entire season, but the freshman got suspended and eventually kicked off the team after a promising 25 carries and some thrilling kick returns. Fullback Kody Walker gave the Razorbacks additional beef.

1. Georgia: Todd Gurley missed one too many games to get to 1,000 yards due to injury and suspension. Now he’ll try to impress an NFL team enough to get drafted in the first round. Enter Nick Chubb, who did reach 1,281 rushing yards despite not starting until the sixth game. Some believe he was the SEC’s best running back this season. The offensive line deserves credit, because even Sony Michel averaged 7.1 yards per carry. Brendan Douglas contributed as well, carrying 50 times after starting the season as the team’s fifth back. Keith Marshall, Gurley’s top backup entering the season, carried just 12 times due to injury, but he and Chubb should return in 2015 to defend this No. 1 ranking.