This installment of SEC Debate asks SDS’ staff who is on top of the ground game in the SEC.

WHICH SEC TEAM HAS THE BEST GROUP OF RUNNING BACKS?

Related: See team rushing statistics for 2014. 

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Arkansas Razorbacks

Never mind the lack of a passing game: the Hogs running backs are nasty. Sure, the big names like Todd Gurley, T.J. Yeldon, Nick Chubb or Derrick Henry aren’t there, but the talent and big-time ability is. While you could argue Georgia and Alabama have deeper backfields, Arkansas’ running backs are just as good. The Hogs’ three-headed monster of Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams and Korliss Marshall combined is as good as any team in the country has to offer. Gurley is college football’s best player and Derrick Henry may be the biggest freak, but give me Arkansas’ backfield against anyone. The Hogs are averaging 362 yards per game and have an SEC-high 14 rushing touchdowns. All three backs complement one another.

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Alabama Crimson Tide

Georgia’s set of talented backs have received much of the early attention and rightfully so after the Clemson game, but I think Alabama’s 1-2-3 punch of T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake is the SEC’s most complete unit. Drake isn’t mentioned with Yeldon and Henry, but he should be. The junior from Powder Springs, Ga. — quite a coincidence since we’re comparing the Tide and Bulldogs — has more total touchdowns (5) than Yeldon and Henry combined (3). Alabama’s backfield is diverse in the fact its trio can run between the tackles, outside or catch passes on the edge. Todd Gurley may be college football’s best ballcarrier, but Alabama owns the best groups of running backs in the SEC.

Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Alabama Crimson Tide

I have to go with the incredible depth in Tuscaloosa. Alabama is rolling up huge rushing totals – over 300 against Southern Miss – without having to ask much of any of their stable of runners. T.J. Yeldon has been overlooked a bit this season, but that’s mostly because he’s hardly touched the ball since the opener. Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake have shown that they’re both capable of making plays for the Tide — Henry between the tackles, Drake out wide — and they’ll both be able to punish defenses after Yeldon softens them up. Even Alabama’s reserves are grinding out huge chunks of yards with every carry. Georgia might have more talent at the top, but Alabama’s ability to gain yards on the ground runs five-deep.

Jordan Cox (@Jordan_Cox): Georgia Bulldogs

Tough question. I think Georgia has the deepest stable of talent. True freshmen Nick Chubb and Sony Michel have both made an immediate impact in Athens, and Michel’s able to line up at flanker and catch the ball. Keith Marshall doesn’t appear to be 100 percent after last season’s ACL injury, and then of course we know what Gurley can do.

But are they the best? I don’t know. Both Alabama, with Yeldon, Henry and Drake and Auburn, with Artis-Payne, Grant, Peyton Barber and Roc Thomas have very good backfields.
Are we judging talent or upside? At the end of the day, I think I’d still want the Bulldogs’ running backs. Gurley’s the best tailback in the league and should rush for over 1,000 yards this season, and you have guys in Chubb and Michel who have proven they’re not afraid of the spotlight and can help their team win.
 

Christopher Walsh (@CrimsonWalsh): Alabama Crimson Tide

Collectively I think you have to go with Alabama. I know people are going to point to Arkansas’ overall numbers and claim that Todd Gurley has a legitimate Heisman shot. However, the thing that makes the Crimson Tide’s corps so impressive is that it includes such different kinds of running backs. T.J. Yeldon is the every-down back and could become the program’s all-time leading rusher this season. Derrick Henry is a power back who can make cutbacks. Kenyan Drake has an incredible burst and leads the team with four touchdowns. Right behind them are Altee Tenpenny and Tyren Jones. All of them got into the game against Southern Miss and averaged 6.2 yards per carry or better. Also, don’t forget about Jalston Fowler, who has become more of a fullback, but might be poised for a long career in the NFL.
 

Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama has the best stable of running backs in a league loaded at the position, thanks to its depth and versatility in the backfield. Between tailbacks T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake, the Tide has three backs that can attack defenses between the tackles and on the perimeter. Those same backs can all catch passes out the backfield or pass-protect when called upon, making all three a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Having three tailbacks capable of playing on every down will keep all three of them fresh late in the season, and because none of the three is used in any specific role, subbing one onto the field does not indicate to the defense what Alabama may try and do on the next play from scrimmage. There may be better individual tailbacks across the SEC, but the best group of backs resides in Tuscaloosa.
 

Jason Hall (@JasonHallSDS): Georgia Bulldogs

Outside of having the best player in the conference, Todd Gurley, the Bulldogs also have two blue chip freshman backs in Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. I can’t understand why they refuse to use Keith Marshall, but as recent as last season he was considered one of the top backs in the nation. If it weren’t for a lack of touches, each player would be capable of consistently dominant numbers.

Drew Laing (@DLaingSDS): Arkansas Razorbacks

It’s a three-headed rushing attack featuring Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams and Korliss Marshall. These three give you a little bit of everything from a top all-around back (Collins), a power back (Williams) and a speedy, explosive playmaker (Marshall).
Recently, it’s been Collins and Williams taking over for the Hogs as the two have combined for 733 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in just three weeks. Thanks to Arkansas’ more traditional offense, they won’t add as much production in the receiving game as some of the other top SEC running backs, but honestly they don’t need to. The Arkansas running backs continue to dominate between the tackles and rack up a bunch of extra yards after contact. They’re physical, quick and possess good field vision. They may not get the pub that other running backs do, but they’re every bit as deserving.