Final Record: 10-2 overall, 6-2 SEC

Many thought “this will be the year” for the Bayou Bengals entering 2012. Hell, I thought it would be, too. With an NFL defensive line, virtually the same returning starters on the offensive line, the five-deep backfield and finally a quarterback who could stretch the defense, it was very easy to be optimistic about the Tigers’ chances of another national championship berth. The one thing that stood between LSU and all the hardware last season in New Orleans, other than the 50-yard line, was a pocket passer who could get the ball to the third level to prevent Alabama from eating their offense alive.

The team took a hit before the season began with Tyrann Mathieu’s dismissal. If you didn’t like him, you loved to hate him. And LSU’s secondary and special teams were just fine without him, but the overall edge and no fear mentality this team played with in ‘11 was gone. The edge didn’t leave with Jordan Jefferson, Ryan Baker or Morris Claiborne; it left with the Honey Badger.

The offense puttered in the beginning, and the Tigers played stale in their first SEC match against Auburn but escaped 12-10. We knew then that the passing offense would struggle against better defenses. And the offensive line took a hit when Chris Faulk and Alex Hurst were injured. The shuffling of the line, combined with Mettenberger holding onto the football way too long, showed vulnerability to opponents. There was no rhythm early; there was no rhyme or reason to the offensive play calls. The Tigers struggled against Auburn; they struggled against Towson and ended up getting out LSU’ed by Florida on the road.

Credit the Tigers for bouncing back and beating very good teams in South Carolina and Texas A&M by a combined seven points. But that’s LSU football. We know how the end of the Bama game turned out, but the Tigers bounced back again, winning their last two SEC games.

Zach Mettenberger, however, never really got going. And to be quite honest, he wasn’t the quarterback we all expected. He showed his inexperience holding onto the ball in the pocket too long and overshooting open receivers that got behind teams’ secondaries for potential explosive plays.

The Tigers finished 7th in scoring offense and 11th in passing offense. However, the biggest surprise came from freshman running back Jeremy Hill. Hill exploded onto the scene against South Carolina, and he notched three 100-yard games in a row. Alfred Blue was injured early; Kenny Hilliard, Spencer Ware and Michael Ford were simply overshadowed by the emerging Hill.

Receiver Odell Beckham didn’t have the season we all thought, either, aided by the struggles of the passing game and blatant drops to start the season. He was listed as a major impact player, and he turned in an okay season with 673 yards receiving on 40 catches and two punt return touchdowns. Jarvis Landry became the leading receiver with 52 catches. But it all comes back to the quarterback and that passing game that never seemed to be in a rhythm – outside of two games – the entire season.

Defensively, only a few other teams have as many future NFL players in college football. Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo returned as sure bookends, and Anthony Johnson and Bennie Logan looked to combine forces to make it one of the best defensive lines in college football. And while it was on paper, South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney had more sacks (13) than Montgomery and Mingo combined (11). Kevin Minter, the only returning starter at linebacker, turned in an All-American season at a position of huge need for John Chavis and Les Miles.

Offensive Stud: Entering 2012, we all talked about the four-headed monster at running back for the Tigers in Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard, but the one guy who outplayed them all at the most crucial time was freshman Jeremy Hill. Hill is a top-three back in the SEC, with his silky smooth quickness and punch-packing aggressive style. Hill energized an exhausted running game and became the offensive MVP. He led the team in rushing with 631 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Defensive Stud: Montgomery and Mingo get all the ink, but Kevin Minter was the biggest stud on the defense. He was all over the field tackling ball carries and forcing fumbles, making the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award more competitive than the Heisman. Minter tabbed 111 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Minter, just a junior, will likely hit the road to the NFL in this spring’s draft.

Where To Next: The SEC’s 10-win Tigers face off with the ACC’s 10-win Tigers. LSU fans may be upset with the Chick-fil-A Bowl bid, but it’s such a sexy matchup. The winner will get to keep the Death Valley name on their stadium. This probably is the fourth best game of the entire bowl season. Clemson has trouble with great defensive lines, and LSU should eat Tajh Boyd’s lunch in Atlanta. The draft could do a number on the defensive side of the ball, but Les Miles has recruited great talent in order to reload once more.

Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

When: Saturday, November 10th

Where: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Game Time: 7:00 PM ET

TV: ESPN

Recent History: LSU has won 12 straight games in this series, and Mississippi State’s last victory in Baton Rouge was back in 1991, and they have dropped 10 straight trips to Death Valley.

Storyline(s): Both LSU and Mississippi State are coming off of reeling defeats last week, and both are hungry for a victory. This is MSU’s best chance to beat LSU and finally notch a worthy SEC West opponent.

What you need to know about Mississippi State: The Bulldogs started out 7-0 and ranked #11 in the BCS until they played Alabama. Now, two games later and two losses later, the Bulldogs sit 7-2 and wondering how they will finish in their next three games.

In what seemed a promising season on the whole, Dan Mullen took care of his first seven cupcakes with little to no problem. However, they were blown out against Alabama 38-7 and thumped by Texas A&M 38-13 last week.

The defense is getting pushed around and is missing tackles left and right, and the offense cannot get in its earlier grove. The good news is that the Bulldogs have another week to correct those issues, but the bad news is the game is in Baton Rouge…at night – where opponents’ dreams go to die, or so says Les Miles.

Tyler Russell must get back on track in the passing game, and LaDarius Perkins must get going on the ground. The defense as a whole just needs to stop playing soft, man up and win a football game for its team.

But it doesn’t get any easier to rebound this week.

What you need to know about LSU: The Tigers played their most complete team last Saturday night against Alabama in the loss. They would have beaten 99 percent of all college football teams, just not Alabama.

Zach Mettenberger finally got on track in the passing game, throwing for 298 yards and one touchdown. He completed 68.5 percent of his passes, and we’ve been waiting for him to break out. I think we witnessed that against Bama.

Jeremy Hill is the guy toting the rock in the backfield, not the four horsemen of Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Kenny Hilliard or Alfred Blue (injured). Hill has been fantastic in the last three games, rushing for a total of 358 yards and four touchdowns, and he’s a fresh set of legs with the perfect combo of speed and power in the downhill running game.

Defensively, this club can get to the quarterback, led by the ends Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo. The Tigers remain second in the SEC in total defense, third in rushing defense and first in passing defense. This group is fierce and ultra-talented, led by LB Kevin Minter.

What Gives? We’ll see which team can bounce back and notch another win. LSU clearly has much more talent, but this game was tied 6-6 going into the fourth quarter last year in Starkville.

The Bulldogs are going to have to play a complete game in Death Valley in order to beat the Tigers. The defense will have to force Mettenberger to be good again in the passing game, and I look for them to attack the Tigers’ running game by loading the box and creating some situations with their good defensive backs. LSU doesn’t have a big-time receiver, and the Bulldogs’ secondary matches up pretty well.

But Tyler Russell must get going. He’ll be the key to a Bulldogs’ win or loss Saturday night.

Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

When: Saturday, November 3^rd

Where: Baton Rouge, LA

Game Time: 8:00 PM ET

TV: CBS

Recent History: Alabama leads the series 46-25-5 and won the most recent game in last season’s BCS National Championship game.  LSU beat Bama 9-6 during last year’s regular season bout, and the Tigers have also won seven of the last ten.

Storyline(s): If Alabama loses this football game to LSU it all but eliminates the SEC from any contention in the national championship, with three other teams undefeated thus far.  LSU is too far down at #5 and has to have major help to get back into the national championship with a win.  So, naturally, the entire country will be hoping LSU can pull a monumental upset.

What you need to know about Alabama:  The gap between Alabama and the rest of the country just keeps getting wider and wider.  Who do you want to put up against Alabama?  Kansas State?  Oregon?  Notre Dame?  LSU becomes the next team to take their shot at Alabama this week, after the Tide pimp-slapped Mississippi State all the way back to Starkville. 

The Tide are really firing on all cylinders, with the biggest improvement from last year to this year residing in AJ McCarron.  While the offensive line is no doubt the strength of the offense, McCarron has done a fantastic job evolving into a leader and into a playmaker.  He leads the country in passing efficiency, and he’s been an impact player in ‘12, outgrowing his labeled ‘game manager’ role that landed him a ring in 2011.  McCarron has thrown 18 touchdowns and no interceptions through eight games.  How’s that for efficiency?  Freshmen Amari Cooper and TJ Yeldon are the two biggest skill position impact players not named Eddie Lacy who will be key down the stretch and in this football game.

Knock the schedule all you want, but the defense loses six starters from last year’s national championship team and once again becomes the most dominant defense in the country, only allowing 203 total yards per game.  You can’t name a dominant pass rusher on the defense, but collectively as a unit, they are as physical as it gets, led by linebacker CJ Moseley and corner Dee Milliner.

The defense has really bought the offense time to identify new playmakers and let the offense really evolve over the course of 2012.  The offensive line has been more impactful on the passing game thus far, allowing McCarron to gain total confidence as he has taken a big leap from his 2011 persona and role.  The running game has been very good since the bye week.

What you need to know about LSU:  LSU is the same team it was in 2011, even though Zach Mettenberger is a different quarterback and a pocket passer.  While the running game is very physical in nature, the passing game is 109^th in the country after finishing 106^th last season.  They’re still the same football team with a four-headed monster of Jeremy Hill, Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard in the backfield.  The Tigers are third in the SEC running the football, with over 200 yards per game on the ground.  The formula for winning remains the same – create a powerful downhill running game, make some key passes and wear the opponent down in the fourth quarter.  This time, however, the offense is going to have to make some explosive plays in the passing game.

The Tigers’ defense faced its toughest task and offense a week ago in Texas A&M.  The Aggies were scoring over 40 points per game, and the Tigers kept them to 19.  The defensive ends led by Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo and middle linebacker Kevin Minter are the lifeblood of the defense.  LSU allows 3.7 yards per play and is the second-ranked defense in the SEC behind Bama.

Punter Brad Wing will have to bring his Aussie swag, because field position will be ever so crucial in this football game.

Statistical Comparison: 

What gives?  LSU and Alabama will no doubt be a knockdown, drag out fight between two SEC powers.  Both are physical and want to establish the running game.  The passing game for Alabama gives them an edge to go along with their already stout running game.  LSU has been one dimensional through eight games, and Alabama will take advantage of Mettenberger’s shakiness in the passing game.  Mett will have to make some explosive plays through the air, but there are no receivers who really stand out for LSU that can create enough separation down the field.  Odell Beckham has had the drops, and Kadron Boone may be the most consistent receiver on the team.

We talk a lot about Alabama wearing down defenses with their massive offensive line. LSU’s offense has to move the football, or the Bama offense will take a toll on the Tigers’ defense because it will be on the field too much.

However, as always, you can throw the stats out the window for this rivalry game, because both teams will bring their A-games for the entire country to see.

When: Saturday, October 20th

Where: College Station, Texas

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET

TV: ESPN

Recent History: LSU has lost four straight road games at College Station. The Tigers’ most recent loss at TAMU was in 1995, when they lost 33-17. However, the 2010 Cotton Bowl was the most recent matchup, and LSU came out the winner 41-24, as TAMU committed four turnovers in their final four drives. LSU leads the all-time series 27-20-3.

LSU Will Win If: The Tigers contain Johnny Manziel. Sounds simple, right? Only Florida could contain him for one half, and he, along with the offense, has improved tremendously. LSU did a great job shutting down Connor Shaw last week with -1 rushing yards, but Manziel is a whole other ball game and is much more creative inside and outside the pocket. Manziel torched Florida’s defense in the first half, but they were able to corral him in the last 30 minutes to pull out a win. What did Florida do differently? They played a spy technique with a linebacker and weren’t as aggressive rushing the quarterback. LSU’s defense can’t be too aggressive with the pass rush, and they must, more or less, wait until Manziel makes a decision, rather than force his hand. The only other time Manziel saw speed on defense like LSU presents was against Florida, and he was limited. Limiting Manziel’s big plays in the running game – as he leads the SEC in rushing – is the key to an LSU victory.

Texas A&M Will Win If: The Aggies force Zach Mettenberger to make plays in the passing game. Mett hasn’t looked comfortable yet in situations where he’s forced to pass. From injuries on the offensive line to the quarterback holding the ball too long, good pass rush teams have hurt the Tigers. If the Aggies can limit the running game – Kenny Hilliard, Michael Ford, Spencer Ware and Jeremy Hill – they win this football game. But it’s a mighty tall task for the fifth-ranked run defense in the SEC to stop the Tigers’ four-headed monster in the backfield. LSU just loves to get physical and play old school football, eventually wearing down opponents in the second half with the ground game. So, the Aggies know exactly what’s coming. Now, can they stop it?

Storyline(s): There are two different storylines I’m watching in this football game: the winner becomes the immediate contender to Alabama and Johnny Manziel’s Heisman hopes will sink or soar. Both teams have a conference loss, but the winner has to be the favorite – other than Mississippi State – to challenge Bama to a division championship. Also, Johnny Manziel has been putting up astronomical numbers against lesser defenses. If he can put together an impressive showing – he doesn’t have to be all-world – against one of the best defenses college football has to offer, his Heisman potential goes through the roof…as a freshman.

Player(s) To Watch: For LSU, linebacker Kevin Minter is one to watch. He totals 8.5 sacks and is fourth in tackles in the SEC. He’ll be keeping a watchful eye on Manziel and hopefully limiting his ability to make big plays with his legs. Against Florida, Minter posted a career-high 20 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He’s the most important player on the defense for the Tigers.

For Texas A&M, I won’t be Captain Obvious. Everyone will be watching Johnny Football and his creativity, but keep an eye on running back Ben Malena. Malena is second to Manziel on the team in rushing yards, with 60 carries for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Along with Malena, Christine Michael is also starting to come alive for the stretch run, and he broke off a 40-yard touchdown last week. Texas A&M will have to get more players involved in the running game besides just Manziel.

Georgia at South Carolina
Todd Gurley, Georgia: 68 carries, 536 yards, 9 TDs, 7.9 ypc
Keith Marshall, Georgia: 52 carries, 428 yards, 5 TDs, 8.2 ypc
Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina: 92 carries, 440 yards, 8 TDs, 4.8 ypc

Buzz: There is so much hype in and around this game as two top ten programs go to work. Georgia has a very balanced offense, thanks to the freshmen duo of Mark Gurley and Keith Marshall. Georgia can hit you so many ways for big plays, and last weekend we saw the duo combine for 294 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Marcus Lattimore hasn’t looked 100 percent nor has returned to pre-injury form, but last weekend against Kentucky he had his best game of the year and marked a season high for carries and rushing yards. He tallied 23 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns; he just looked better and quicker in his cuts. He’s getting healthier and more confident.

Gurley is the best looking running back in the SEC right now, with a rare combination of speed, power and vision. He’ll remind you of Trent Richardson, who is considered to be the total package, breaking into the second level. Gurley is silky smooth on his cuts and has enviable top-end speed for his size. But his incredible vision makes his gifted skill set work.

Gurley 51-yard TD run

Marshall can break the big one and has more wiggles than Gurley in the open field, and he may have better top-end speed than Gurley, too, but he certainly doesn’t have the power Gurley possesses. Nonetheless, Marshall is a great second punch, and he can exploit the edges as well or better than Gurley can.

Marshall 75-yard TD run

Lattimore is the seasoned veteran of the SEC at running back, and he looks like he is returning to his old self, with a growing confidence from his knee injury. In Lattimore’s first two career games against Georgia, he’s tallied 37 carries and 27 carries respectively in two wins. I fully expect Steve Spurrier to feed the beast this weekend with at least 25 carries. He hasn’t had more than 23 carries the entire season, and the Gamecocks have been waiting for this game to unleash him once more.

Lattimore 29-yard TD run

LSU at Florida
Mike Gillislee, Florida: 69 carries, 402 yards, 5 TDs, 5.8 ypc
Kenny Hilliard, LSU: 53 carries, 366 yards, 6 TDs, 6.9 ypc
Michael Ford, LSU: 38 carries, 224 yards, 2 TDs, 5.9 ypc
Spencer Ware, LSU: 32 carries, 164 yards, 5.1 ypc

Buzz: LSU and Florida have the same #1 MO – run the football and establish a ground game. Les Miles and Will Muschamp gameplan around the running game on offense, and both teams will try to establish that from the first drive of the game. LSU is the #2 rushing offense in the SEC (229.6 ypg), and Florida is right behind them at #3 (224.5 ypg). We’ll see four primary backs in Mike Gillislee, Kenny Hilliard, Michael Ford and Spencer Ware the entire game.

Gillislee has been the lifeblood of the Florida rushing attack this season. He’s helped bring Florida a big-play threat that has to be respected on the ground. Gilly has shown toughness, playing through a groin injury for the last three games. He’s averaging over 17 carries per game, but I really expect him to touch it 22-25 times on Saturday. Florida will not only feature Gillislee, but they will also counter with quarterback Jeff Driskel and all-purpose Trey Burton. However, Gillislee will be the featured back.

Gillislee 38-yard TD run

LSU will feature a three-headed monster of Hilliard, Ford and Ware. Leading rusher Alfred Blue is still out with a knee injury, and he may have the best skill set of any of the four. Hilliard has been very good this season, but Spencer Ware has been really coming on as of late. Ford is the speed back who is a changeup to both, while Hilliard and Ware are used as battering rams within the offense. One major reason the backs have been so successful is fullback JC Copeland. He was injured last weekend, but Miles has stated he will play. The question is how much? Can LSU establish a running game without their massive 275-pound fullback?

Hilliard 71-yard TD run

Ford 18-yard run

Spencer Ware trucks Washington player

To be more specific, Les Miles’ philosophy is to make the other team tap out. As soon as LSU takes the lead, the execution starts. The Tigers are going to line up and start swinging the hammer with a bludgeoning ground game. Depending on the mettle of the opponent, either this will be a steady chipping away or huge chunks start crumbling off. Either way, the end is typically the same…an opponent that has been broken down physically and mentally.

Two games in, we are also getting glimpses of how deadly LSU’s offense can be. LSU has been able to both run and pass effectively with Mett under center. One series against Washington best exemplifies the ‘pick your poison’ offense of LSU. With the Tigers operating out of the “I” formation, James Wright caught a frozen rope from Mett for seventeen yards. LSU lined up again in the same formation and Washington was then handcuffed. The Huskies couldn’t cheat against the run and provide adequate coverage in the secondary. The result, Alfred Blue takes it twenty-one yards to the house.

If LSU can force defenses to play honest, look out. Les Miles will not have to bludgeon opponents to death. He will have the luxury of killing quickly with lethal strikes from the arm of Mettenberger.

However, you get the sense that quick strikes and booming punts aren’t going to be Les’ modus operandi. If the 2012 season is a poker game, Les is going to have those aces up his sleeve, ready to go. Yet, you know Miles won’t use them. Instead, he is going to sit there and smile while showing a deuce and a five off -suit. Why? Because he knows he’s about to pistol whip the other players at the table, take the pot regardless and no person will be able to stop him. The LSU ground game is that dominant.

Why is it that good? If Alfred Blue, Michael Ford, Kenny Hilliard and Spencer Ware are the opponent’s Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, then the LSU OLine and FB J.C. Copeland are the weapons and beasts bringing them to battle. Anytime a team can lose its starting left tackle and improve the next week, it is good. Scary good.

Speaking of Harbingers of Death…. The LSU defense is quickly finding out that was always much more than #7. Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo have been fierce off the end, while the tackle rotation has created constant headaches for opponents thus far. In regards to the secondary, freshman CB, Jalen Mills, seems to be the real deal. Yet, it is hard to single out any one performance, as the whole unit collectively has racked up some impressive numbers. The Tigers have four sacks, 14 tackles for loss, eleven passes broken up, ten QB hurries and three turnovers. The Tigers are also allowing a miserly 8.5 points per game and just over 200 total yards per game. Expect both of those numbers to drop this week against Idaho.

Note: Last week, if there was one bright spot for Washington, it was the Husky fans. The Husky faithful traveled better than more than a few of our SEC brethren and they weren’t afraid to jump right in. Much like a native Louisianan, the Husky fans never seemed to meet a stranger. Whether it was sharing a bowl of Jambalaya or a couple of Moonshine Cherry bombs, they embraced the experience whole-heartedly. They appreciated the LSU traditions just as much as the hospitality, and unlike Ole Miss, they were there for a win, not the party. To a fan, each could intelligently and rationally explain why a win was possible. (Something that is sorely lacking in states east of Mississippi and west of Florida and Georgia.) I can only hope that we see them again on a home and home sooner than later.

Ford and Jones have both filed academic appeals in order to have a chance to play in the North Texas opener Saturday.

Les Miles held his weekly presser yesterday, and he explained the two are appealing in order to play.

“There is an appeal process that’s being undertaken for those guys,” Miles said. “We’ll have to wait to see how that all turns out as we get closer to the game.”

Neither player will play against North Texas unless Miles receives word that he is good to go. And that’s really no big deal at all.

Ford, of course, was LSU’s leading rusher a year ago with 756 yards on 127 carries, and he looks to make headway in a very crowded LSU backfield.

Jones, on the other hand, is the bigger issue because he was slated to be a probable first-year starter at a position of need after the Tigers lost two starters at linebacker. Not many linebackers on this team have experience, but Jones is one of them.

However, if both were to miss significant time, it would certainly put a strain on the Tigers at both positions – but for North Texas, it’s not a big deal.

The Tigers have five players in the backfield who all could potentially start for other teams in the SEC, and they are all are looking to get touches.

LSU’s depth chart a season ago featured – in order – Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard.

Here’s a look at what each did in 2011:

While having that much depth at running back is a great luxury to have, it also can be an added struggle to keep all of them happy, focused and motivated.  All four handled it very well last season, but what happens when there are fewer run plays?LSU had three backs eclipse the 500-yard mark.  There weren’t many teams to accomplish that feat in 2011, but Oregon was another team to do it.

The Tigers ran 870 total plays in 2011.  591 of them were runs and only 279 were passes.  So, 68 percent of the time, LSU was running the ball.

In contrast, Alabama and Georgia had much more balanced offenses than LSU.  Bama ran 865 plays, with 508 (58.7 percent) of them being runs.  Likewise, Georgia ran a total of 1,016 plays, with 582 (57.3 percent) of them running plays.

Since injuries have kept Ware and Ford off the practice field thus far, Blue and Hilliard really have taken advantage of the added snaps.  Both have shined during scrimmages, and they are the two backs atop the depth chart entering North Texas.

When Les speaks, he mentions Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue first, followed by Ware and Ford.  But he’s talking about another freshman named Jeremy Hill as well, sandwiched right in between all four of them.

So, there’s one more back looking to gets some carries in the already-stacked backfield.  With the emergence of a passing quarterback in Zach Mettenberger, there will be fewer carries for the Tigers this season, unless the offense runs 150 more plays.  I will tell you now that Mettenberger will be throwing it more than 32 percent of the time, as Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee averaged in ‘11.

With less rushing attempts and more mouths at the running back table than last year, it will certainly be interesting to see how Miles uses these five tremendously talented players without it becoming a problem or a distraction.

If anyone can do it, position coach Frank Wilson and The Hat can.

Previous Superlatives:

• Quarterbacks

The SEC is a running back’s league. It features some downhill powerful runners who blow through would-be tacklers week in and week out and boasts the top offensive linemen in order to plow the way.

Let’s judge the running backs:

Complete Package: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina (JR)
Marcus Lattimore returns once again in the SEC for another year of gracing us with his punishing running game. By all indications, Lattimore is 100 percent healthy and ready to go in 2012. Lattimore is the complete back in the SEC. He’s proven that his freshman year, and he proved it last year before his injury. He returns with 2,016 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns in just one and a half seasons. Steve Spurrier has been criticized for letting Lattimore tote the rock too much, but he chews up yards in a hurry. I think Lattimore is the complete back in the SEC right now because he can hurt teams running or receiving.

Highest Ceiling: Knile Davis, Arkansas (JR)
While Lattimore may be the complete back, and I only say that because he’s had more opportunity to impress, Knile Davis has the most upside – obviously upside this year and NFL upside. Davis has only really played one full season, with limited touches his freshman year and limited touches the first half of 2010. While Lattimore has been used as a workhorse in college, Davis is fresher in the NFL scouts’ eyes. Look for him to be a high draft pick after this season, assuming he stays healthy. Davis has much to prove this season.

Biggest Homerun Threat: Onterio McCalebb, Auburn (SR)
Onterio McCalebb is the fastest player in the SEC, and he’s a homerun threat every time he touches the ball. He really showed that in 2010 playing Cam Newton, averaging 8.5 yards per carry. Last year McCalebb shared the load with Mike Dyer, but he’ll be the main runner this season. He can turn the corner in a hurry, but let’s keep an eye on this burner carrying the full load for the Tigers.

Most Powerful: Kenny Hilliard, LSU (SO)
We’ve seen just enough of Kenny Hilliard to make us want more. The guy is a beast and a big load to tackle at 245 pounds running between the tackles. He burst onto the scene when Spencer Ware was suspended last year, and he earned more playing time as the season progressed. He totaled 62 carries for 336 yards and eight touchdowns (tied for team lead). Hilliard has lost some of his baby fat from last year and looks to evolve into a better overall back in 2012.

Best Backup: Michael Ford, LSU (JR)
We’ve talked about Kenny Hilliard, and now we’ll talk about Michael Ford. Neither is the starter in this crowded LSU backfield. That task belongs to Spencer Ware. But Ford outrushed Ware on 50 less carries. Ford totaled 127 carries for 756 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.0 yards per pop. He would start at several other schools in the SEC, and he would be a top three back in the SEC East. Ford is the speed guy for LSU, and he can turn the corner in a hurry. No doubt Michael Ford is the best backup running back in the SEC.

Most to Prove: Eddie Lacy, Alabama (JR)
Playing in the shadow of Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram can’t be an easy thing to do. Lacy has taken a back seat to both in the last few years, and it’s his turn. He looks to be Alabama’s next great running back in a long line of studs. Lacy is a physical runner, but he can make defenders miss in the open field. Lacy ran for 674 yards on only 95 carries in 2011. He totals 1,080 yards in his career, and look for him to equal his career mark in his first year of starting.

Most Irreplaceable: Christine Michael, Texas A&M (SR)
With a veteran offensive line returning in College Station, Michael should have a fantastic senior season. He leads all SEC returners with 2,374 career-rushing yards with 22 touchdowns. Behind Michael is a bunch of unproven talent. But heading into year one in the SEC with a freshman quarterback, TAMU will have to have Michael and lean on his experience and toughness to get through the gauntlet. Michael would be the toughest running back to replace this season.

Most Underrated: Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt (SR)
The most underrated SEC running back is easily Zac Stacy. The guy gets no love for his abilities or the numbers he put up last year. Stacy is quietly the SEC’s fourth leading returning rusher in 2012, with 2,002 career yards and 20 touchdowns. He has produced ever since he set foot on campus in Nashville. But Stacy plays with a chip on his shoulder knowing he has to earn all the respect he gets. Can you imagine if he got to run behind the hawses at LSU or Alabama? Would be a whole new ball game.

Best All-Purpose: Dennis Johnson, Arkansas (SR)
Mr. Do-it-all for the Razorbacks returns for his senior season. Johnson will be the backup running back (1,279 career yards), while returning both punts and kick offs for the Hogs. He is Arkansas’ all-time leading kick returner with 2,475 return yards, and he has taken three of them back to house. Johnson is key to Arkansas’ overall game plan, whether it’s on special teams or on offense.

Who’s your favorite SEC running back?

We’ve already taken a look at the East position battles. And here’s a look at some big position battles within each team in the West:

Alabama

Safety: Vinnie Sunseri vs. HaHa Clinton-Dix

No, that’s not a typo in HaHa Clinton-Dix’s name. He will go head-to-head with the ‘Executioner’ Vinnie Sunseri for the free safety starting spot, opposite Robert Lester. Sunseri got his name from being a headhunter on special teams last year. The son of Tennessee’s defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri, this kid has football in his blood and genes. He’s a headsy player. Clinton-Dix, on the other hand, has loads of talent, and he could grow into the mold of a Mark Barron-type player. He has the type of athleticism that could make him one of the best safeties Nick Saban has ever coached. This position is very important to the Tide secondary because they are replacing three starters altogether.

Arkansas

Offensive Tackle: David Hurd vs. Brey Cook

Arkansas’ offensive line doesn’t have a starting five yet. Travis Swanson returns at center, Alvin Bailey at guard and Jason Peacock returns at tackle, reinstated after his off-season arrest on a theft charge. David Hurd and Brey Cook will be battling it out for the other tackle position. Cook is the favorite to win the position, but Hurd had a very good spring working with the first teamers. This group could be blocking for the best quarterback and the best running back in the country.

Auburn

Quarterback: Kiehl Frazier vs. Clint Moseley

We’ve been talking about this battle since spring practice, and it will continue through fall camp. Both are different quarterbacks with an offensive coordinator who has experience in both a spread-based offense and a pro-style offense. Kiehl Frazier probably has more upside – passing and running – than Clint Moseley. Last year, Frazier was primarily used like Tim Tebow in his freshman year as a runner, while Moseley was the passer after Barrett Trotter was benched. I like Frazier to win this job.

LSU

Running Back: Spencer Ware vs. Kenny Hilliard vs. Michael Ford vs. Alfred Blue

While LSU may have the deepest running back group of any team in the country, you have to believe there will be a fierce battle in fall practice among these players. There is simply not enough carries to go around. Returning starter Spencer Ware is the pounder, but Kenny Hilliard is the tank who can also get tough yardage. Michael Ford is the speedy back of the group and the leading returning rusher, while Alfred Blue has a rare combination of the other three. I am particularly interested to see how Les Miles keeps all these guys happy. Don’t forget about freshman Jeremy Hill, either.

Mississippi State

Middle Linebacker: Benardrick McKinney vs. Ferlando Bohanna

Cam Lawrence and Deontae Skinner will start as outside linebackers, but Benardrick McKinney and Ferlando Bohanna are battling it out to start at the MIKE. Bohanna made nine tackles last year, and McKinney redshirted. However, McKinney is the likely favorite to win the position because he’s very athletic for his size. At 6-5, 235 pounds, McKinney will remind State fans of former MSU linebacker and current Seattle Seahawks’ linebacker KJ Wright. McKinney has very long arms and a knack for being around the football. Bohanna, however, has at little more experience, as he started one game last year.

Ole Miss

Quarterback: Barry Brunetti vs. Bo Wallace

Ole Miss has yet to name a quarterback for 2012. Both Bo Wallace and Barry Brunetti have received praise from Hugh Freeze – Brunetti for his athleticism and playmaking ability and Wallace for his knowledge of the offense and his experience. Someone is going to start week one. But don’t think for a second this battle will not go into the season. Freeze wants to find out who is ready to lead this football team when the lights come on.

Texas A&M

Cornerback: Deshazor Everett vs. Floyd Raven vs. Dustin Harris vs. Tremaine Jacobs

Everyone is talking about the quarterback battle, so I’m going to turn attention to the Aggies’ defense. Solidifying a secondary that was ranked 109th in the country against the pass is at the forefront of TAMU’s fall practice position battles. Deshazor Everett and Floyd Raven enter as the starters, but combined, Everett and Raven haven’t started a game. Dustin Harris, the senior, and Tremaine Jacobs, JUCO transfer, will be right on their tails. Both have more experience than the youngsters but less talent. Jacobs could also get a look at safety and play corner in Nickel coverages.