SEC Garage: Comparing RBs to cars thanks to Fournette and Chubb
Like Lamborghini, Georgia’s Nick Chubb doesn’t have to advertise his talents.
The product sells itself.
Asked to compare himself to a supercar last week at SEC Media Days, Leonard Fournette one-upped his SEC backfield rival.
“(I would be) a Bugatti,” Fournette said. “That’s my favorite car. I want to buy that when I get older. Lamborghinis are fast too. I had no problem when he said that.”
Looking across the rest of the league’s notable running backs heading into the 2015 season, here are a few additional comparisons:
SEC Garage: Comparing RBs to cars
Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt (Honda Civic) — Derek Mason’s not keeping this guy under a car cover this season. Webb, the Eastern Division’s budget option, not going to win any beauty contests as the best offensive player on the SEC’s worst team and may not have any tread on his tires by November, but he’s not going to break down on first-year OC Andy Ludwig. Some routine maintenance and maybe a tuner would help. Can we improve Webb’s chassis with an Accord’s V6 in to make his Honda go just a little bit faster?
Jovon Robinson, Auburn (Ferrari Enzo) — The Tigers turned in last year’s lease to the NFL for an exotic option from the JUCO ranks, a player cut from a rare breed of superbacks. Only 400 Enzos were released before production ceased in 2004, but Auburn happened to find one (and it’s not Floyd Mayweather’s ride priced at $3.8 million). Built with a 6.0L V12 engine, the Enzo and its carbon fiber frame strikes fear in its opposition. Robinson will do the same for the Tigers in his first season as Gus Malzahn’s primary option in a run-heavy offense.
Alex Collins, Arkansas (Nissan GT-R) — Gearheads call this foreign import ‘Godzilla’ due to its low growl and often flame-inducing exhaust. If you can get past the sticker price, think Fast & Furious meets Christine in terms of raw power. In the 40-yard dash, this six-figure coupe will squash all competition mentioned in the same category. When Collins is at his best, few running backs are better from a 0-to-60 standpoint. The Razorbacks have another running back in Jonathan Williams who is equally, if not more so, impressive from total skill set perspective, but in a foot race, Collins is faster at the track.
Jalen Hurd, Tennessee (Corvette Z06) — A step up from the base model, this supercharged mass of metal is the most versatile American muscle car and turns heads with its sleek look, much like the Vols’ standout sophomore ballcarrier. The Z06 dominates the quarter-mile and has slick handling — similar to Hurd’s downhill speed and playmaking ability as a receiving threat. It’s premium only for a ride that could be All-SEC caliber by year’s end.
Derrick Henry, Alabama (Challenger SRT Hellcat) — In need of roadside assistance? This 4,500-pound beast has you covered with enough horsepower under the hood (707 to be exact) to get you from point A to point B in seconds. The Crimson Tide’s hoping Henry accelerates this offense back to the College Football Playoff this fall as the featured back. Henry already owns the 5.7L RT model of this Dodge hot rod, so why not go for the new hotness? (if Henry has $75K laying around, maybe that’s not the best question to ask)
