Alabama and LSU represents one of the best rivalries in the SEC.

Both teams feature a running back that could be considered the most physical running backs in the league. One is a backup, but doesn’t put up No. 2 numbers and the other is a freshman phenom expected to be a star in the SEC.

So which one is better?

The case for Derrick Henry

Despite being Alabama’s No. 2 running back behind TJ Yeldon, Derrick Henry has made a name for himself. He’s arguably the most physically imposing running back in the SEC. At 6-foot-3, 241-pounds, it’s not surprising that many other schools recruited Henry as a tight end or linebacker. Henry is most effective as the game wears on when he can use his size to bowl over tired defenders. There’s simply no stopping him in the latter half of the game, he’s too big, too strong and too fast for defenses that are not 100 percent. As a No. 2 running back, there’s no one better in the SEC or in college football. And with Yeldon likely leaving early for the NFL Draft, he should get a great chance in 2015 to showcase his skills as the team’s featured back.

The case for Leonard Fournette

No freshman came into college with more hype than running back Leonard Fournette. The No. 1 ranked recruit was already built like a veteran SEC running back at 6-foot-1, 230-pounds and ran like one, too. He may not have had the Heisman Trophy season like some expected, but Fournette gradually became more of an offensive weapon as the season progressed. Eventually, he was running defenders over (literally) and racking up multiple 100-yard performances. As Fournette becomes more comfortable in the college game, his production should get even better and his team-leading 891 rushing yards in 2014 will be just the start for this budding superstar.

RELATED: Fournette’s freshman season just scratching the surface

Verdict

Both runners posted similar numbers (891 yards for Fournette; 895 yards for Henry) and had outstanding 2014 seasons. If I’m forced to pick one back, I have to go with Fournette.

Not only is he just a freshman — so there’s at least two more years of him in the backfield — but Fournette is such a special blend of size and speed. No, he didn’t live up to that “Michael Jordan” comparison that was thrusted upon him by his own head coach, but as he got acclimated to SEC football, he really began to show exactly what he could do in this league. And if his regular-season finale against Texas A&M was of any indication — 146 yards and one TD on 19 carries — he’s more than capable of taking over games within the conference.

Henry is a talented back in is own right, but I think I’ll take Fournette’s consistency as a starter over Henry, who has yet to be the team’s featured starter. What Fournette did as a freshman is very encouraging for the future and puts him above Henry for now. The sky is the limit for No. 7 down in Baton Rouge.

Winner: Leonard Fournette