SEC Debate: Has Nick Chubb warranted MVP discussion?
Six starts and six 100-yard rushing performances. Is there anything Georgia freshman Nick Chubb can’t do?
In Todd Gurley’s absence, Chubb’s kept the Bulldogs afloat in the SEC East race with 10 touchdowns over his last six games. Is he an MVP candidate?
We ask the question.
What does Nick Chubb have to do to jump into the SEC MVP discussion?
Jon Cooper (@JonSDS)
While Nick Chubb has already accomplished enough to be named a viable candidate for the SEC’s MVP award, Georgia will have to win the SEC East. Amari Cooper has done more for a better team that’s on path for the College Football Playoff at this point, but Chubb is no doubt the top back in the league full of future NFL backs. The Bulldogs will have to win the East, and furthermore, they would probably have to win the SEC Championship. Chubb may not only win the MVP award, but he may just get an invite to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS)
Chubb has already accomplished enough to be in the discussion for SEC MVP. He served as a backup to Todd Gurley in Georgia’s first five games of the year, but has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of his last six games as the Dawgs’ feature back, vaulting him to No. 2 in the SEC in rushing this season. He has rushed for more than 900 yards in those six games, and has averaged better than seven yards per carry this season as one of the SEC’s most dynamic runners. The only tailback in the SEC who has been comparable to Chubb in terms of production and explosiveness has been Gurley. At the pace Chubb has maintained since taking over as the starter, he would have rushed for more than 1,800 in 12 games, which certainly warrants consideration for the conference MVP honor. It’d be tough to award the honor to a player that hasn’t been an impact guy from wire-to-wire, but he’s certainly done enough in the last two months to insert himself into the discussion.
Christopher Smith (@CSmithSDS)
Jason Hall (@JasonHallSDS)
Jordan Cox (@Jordan_Cox)
He has to already be in the discussion, in my opinion. Chubb made a splash early, breaking a long touchdown run while losing his shoe against Clemson in the season-opener. The true freshman has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a Georgia backfield that was stacked coming into the season. He had to split carries with Todd Gurley and Sony Michel early, and then when Gurley was suspended, Chubb put forth two of the most impressive performances by a SEC running back this season. Big games against Georgia Tech and in the bowl game would only solidify his position, but I believe he has to be in the conversation
Drew Laing (@DLaingSDS)
Personally, I believe he’s done enough already to at least be in the discussion. If Georgia is fortunate enough to make it to the SEC Championship, and Chubb continues at his usual pace of at least 100 rushing yards, you can bet he’ll be a part of the conversation. If he’s able to get that extra game in Atlanta, Chubb could catch Cameron Artis-Payne as the SEC’s leading rusher as long as he doesn’t disappoint against Georgia Tech. That would be an absurd accomplishment for a running back who only started basically half the season.