Les Miles’ “Mad Hatter” nickname is well earned, with his brazen and creative play calling. Every week, we’ll be taking a look at an interesting wrinkle the coach worked into the game plan. From the home opening win against Sam Houston State: a dual-RB backfield.

The Tigers have plenty of depth at running back. Leonard Fournette comes in with all the hype in the world surrounding him, which he started to back up by running for 92 yards and a touchdown this past Saturday. Kenny Hilliard is coming into his own as well, as he put up 55 yards and TD against Sam Houston State after carrying the Tigers to victory over Wisconsin. Teams will be gearing up to stop the run, so Miles will have to find ways to throw opponents off.

He may have found one way to do that by lining up two running backs in the backfield. Hilliard and Fournette both have good size, weighing in around 230 pounds each. Miles took advantage of that in the fourth quarter, having Hilliard line up in front of Fournette with his hand in the ground as a fullback. With all the attention focused on Fournette, including that of the SEC Network broadcast, freshman quarterback Brandon Harris turned around and slipped a quick handoff to Hilliard, who plunged into the end zone unchallenged from two yards out.

Fournette and Hilliard are both going to bring the thunder this year. Coupled in with two QBs that can use their legs in Harris and Anthony Jennings, the Tigers have plenty of options. Formations like this could give opposing defensive coordinators headaches trying to figure out where lightning is going to strike.