The SEC is generally known for its defense and its run game, and 2016 should be no different.

There are some new faces and some veterans; some long-awaited arrivals and some comfortable returners.

Mississippi State and South Carolina each have four backs battling for the No. 1 spot.

Tennessee has two quality backs returning in 2016, Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, who are poised for a big season.

Alabama almost always boasts a talented backfield, and even though Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake will be missed, the Tide will have no trouble refilling the holes left behind.

Here are our predictions for the SEC’s best backfield tandems in 2016.

5. Jovon Robinson & Roc Thomas, Auburn

Jovon Robinson and Roc Thomas both made the list last year, but we were disappointed. While Robinson finally took the field and finished the season strong, Thomas barely even saw the field, with just 43 carries for 261 yards and a single TD.

In fact, it was Peyton Barber that led the Tigers in the backfield. Barber showed significant improvement in 2015 with 238 carries for 1,016 yards and 13 TDs. He and Robinson could have easily been the best tandem in the SEC in 2016, but he decided to enter the NFL draft.

That’s all right because Thomas is ready to make a difference this fall as he’ll see time in the slot as well.

The No. 1 spot is easily in the hands of Robinson. He’s has already publicly declared he will be the Tigers’ next 1,000-yard rusher, so if he makes good on that guarantee, it’ll be a heck of a season for Auburn.

4. Bo Scarbrough & Damien Harris, Alabama

Following Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake is a tall order, and not many running backs would be up for the challenge. But Bo Scarbrough and Damien Harris aren’t your average running backs, and they’ve been preparing for this challenge since they arrived in Tuscaloosa.

In 2015, Scarbrough had just 18 carries for 104 yards due to suspension and injuries, but he showed a burst of talent in the first spring scrimmage with 132 yards and 3 TDs.

Harris had plenty more carries with 46 going for 157 yards and a TD. Even though he struggled in the first spring scrimmage with just 12 carries for 36 yards, Harris led the Tide with 11 carries for 114 yards in the spring game.

Scarbrough and Harris are on track to be one of the best tandems in the SEC this fall. They just need to work on their consistency this summer.

3. Leonard Fournette & Derrius Guice, LSU

Leonard Fournette had a monster sophomore season, but Derrius Guice showed he has what it takes to stand in the Tigers’ backfield with Leonard.

The 5-foot-11, 222-pounder could earn more carries alongside Fournette, which is a big accomplishment, after averaging 8.6 yards per carry (first in the SEC) while going for 436 yards and 3 TDs last season on the way to earning SEC All-Freshman Team honors from the coaches.

Guice unleashed on South Carolina for 161 yards on just 16 carries with a touchdown. He also went for 73 yards on just 10 carries with a score against Texas A&M late in the season.

If Fournette can maintain the level of play he exhibited last season and Guice can improve on his freshman campaign, look out for these two.

2. Jalen Hurd & Alvin Kamara, Tennessee

One has to figure “Run CMG” will be even better than last season, and that’s scary.

Last season, Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara combined for nearly 2,500 yards and 24 TDs from scrimmage. After Leonard Fournette, Hurd is the top returning rusher in the SEC after posting 1,288 yards.

The perfect compliment to the bruiser, the elusive Kamara had just shy of 700 rushing yards and almost 300 more receiving. His 7 yards per play led all qualifying SEC running backs in 2015.

Nobody ran the ball more often than the Vols, who averaged 47.5 attempts per game with QB Josh Dobbs also a factor in the ground game. With an extra year under their belts, SEC defenses aren’t going to enjoy facing Hurd and Kamara.

1. Nick Chubb & Sony Michel, Georgia

Sony Michel simply punished defenders all spring as the starting running back. He’s had to carry a lot of the load with Nick Chubb still in the black jersey.

Chubb suffered a devastating injury against Tennessee in 2015, and some doubted he would return this soon. However, he has returned, even if it isn’t full force yet. And he’s got his teammates behind him.

According to redandblack.com, “He’s getting better every day,” Michel said. “He’s moving a lot faster than I would think. He was looking good running at Tuesday’s practice.”

Before his injury last season, Chubb had 92 carries for 747 yards and 7 TDs. Michel filled in admirably with 219 carries for 1,161 yards and 8 TDs.