When your quarterback isn’t quite getting it done through the air, you turn to the ground. In Auburn’s case, you turn to Peyton Barber.
Barber’s rise to the top of the offense was a bit unexpected when you think about the conversation during the offseason. He was just another name among the quartet of running backs vying for the starting position. Roc Thomas was involved, Kerryon Johnson was involved, Jovon Robinson was involved. Barber was backup last year and seemed about to be overlooked again this year. At one point, he reportedly thought about transferring.
Then during Auburn’s first game against Louisville, he emerged as the Tigers’ most reliable back. While all the running backs initially took handoffs, the carries eventually narrowed down to Barber because some of the other backs left due to injuries. Barber seized the chance and proved himself. During the press conference after the season opener, Gus Malzahn not only had positive things to say about his performance, but brought Barber up to the podium with him.
In last week’s game against Jacksonville State, Barber performed even better. He rushed for more yards over less carries, and earned his first touchdown of the season. So far he has 47 total carries for 240 yards. Auburn fans and Jeremy Johnson are grateful that Barber is on the team. He allowed Auburn to win in spite of significant weaknesses.
This Saturday, however, Auburn faces its first conference foe of the season and in many ways, it’s a whole new ball game. Thomas and Robinson most likely will be at 100 percent again, hoping to take back the running back position, or at least wrest away some carries. It’s unknown who will start, but Barber could very well remain in place as the Auburn’s offensive star.
What Barber should be more concerned about is the LSU defense. He will be running against a defense which held Mississippi State to 19 points and only 43 rushing yards last week. Additionally, he will be in the presence of one of the best running backs in the SEC, LSU’s Leonard Fournette, which means Barber needs to prepare himself for the all the comparisons that are about to come.
Both teams have first-year starters at quarterback. Both teams are likely to play conservatively (although with Les Miles as your coach, you never really know). If anyone were to guess, this will be a run-heavy game with some Ricardo Louis sprinkled in here and there.
So far, LSU has already shown a run-heavy offense, which means that Fournette’s stats will naturally seem more padded than Barber’s. (Last week, Fournette had 28 carries for 159 yards and 3 touchdowns.) However, Fournette is both bigger and faster than Barber. He also has more experience. Barber played in six games last season while Fournette played in all of them, accounting for 1,034 yards in the process.
It’s hard to think that Barber can outshine Fournette this Saturday on his own. However, if Auburn’s defense can get itself back to where it was during the first quarter against Louisville, Barber may have a shot. Either way, two great running backs from each sideline are about to run on the same field. Perhaps just the presence of one will push the other to do better.
Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
