We’re so close to college football starting that it almost feels further away than it did back in May. Just knowing we’re so close to tailgating, full stadiums, parties at home to watch the biggest games of a full Saturday slate, etc., makes each day without football feel that much longer.

Back in May, the anticipation wasn’t as intense as it is now. Back in May, we were resigned to our fate of several more football-less months.

But now, with NFL preseason games providing us with a lackluster appetizer (like stale chips and mild salsa), I’m longing for games that actually matter. Week 0 will provide us with that, and I can’t wait.

Fortunately, there’s the SDS Mailbag to get us through these last couple of weeks without college football! Let’s dive into this week’s questions:

Tyler:

You can only pick one SEC running back who played his entire career in the 2000s or later to build a running game around. Who are you taking?

Oh man, there are so many good options to choose from. It also depends quite a bit on what kind of offense you’re running. If you want a pure power running game, Derrick Henry is the obvious answer:

I mean, how could you not want that beast on your team? He has also carried the Titans to the playoffs the past couple of years, so you know he can handle a major workload and succeed even when defenses know he’s getting the ball.

But, if you’re a more pass-happy offense, Alvin Kamara and Najee Harris at least warrant consideration. Both of them are dynamic runners who also contribute heavily in the passing game.

Nick Chubb also warrants consideration based on what he’s done with the Cleveland Browns since being drafted. However, if I have to choose just one, give me the guy who turns All-Pro safeties into his lead blocker:

Yeah, I’ll figure out the rest of my offense if you give me that guy on my team.

Matthew:

Last year, Ja’Marr Chase overcame preseason drops to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award. George Pickens is already making waves this training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Will he follow in Chase’s footsteps and win the award this season?

Let me just take this opportunity to pat myself on the back for a second (it is my column, after all). I got Chase for a steal in both of my fantasy football leagues last year because everyone else was worried about his case of the drops.

I trusted the tape I saw during that 2019 season at LSU and that move paid off handsomely. Now, I know no one cares about anyone else’s fantasy team, so I’ll get back to answering the question at hand.

No, I don’t think Pickens will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year this season. That’s nothing to do with his skill or what I think about him as a receiver. I think he’s incredibly talented, and he’s already showing that at the pro level.

The difference, to me, is that Chase had Joe Burrow throwing him the ball. He was already familiar with Burrow from that magical 2019 LSU season, and Burrow is better than any quarterback currently on the Steelers’ roster – Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett.

Add in an improved, but still below average, offensive line and I’m worried Pickens won’t have the chance to make a Chase-like impact in Pittsburgh this fall.

At the moment, I’d take Chris Olave with the New Orleans Saints to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Robert:

Would you rather go 10-2 and make a New Year’s 6 bowl game or go 8-4 and beat your biggest rival?

That’s a really tough question. If it was beat my rival or go to the Playoff, I’m taking the Playoff every time. That’s a no-brainer.

But, going to New Year’s 6 bowl games these days isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. A lot of times, top players opt out of those games. But there is something nice about seeing double digits in your win column.

Yes, it would be a tough decision, but at the end of the day, I think I’d pick 10 wins with a loss to my rival. There’s a certain amount of program prestige that comes from going to New Year’s 6 bowl games consistently.

But, as a Mizzou fan, my biggest rival is Kansas. We all know losing to Kansas gets you trolled ruthlessly on social media (just ask Texas). That makes this question even tougher. I’m going to double down on the 10 wins before I talk myself into changing my mind.

@Dobbe8:

If you had to pick a bowl game for your team to make that wasn’t a College Football Playoff or New Year’s 6 bowl game, what would you choose?

Well, I can promise you it wouldn’t be the Quick Lane Bowl. A December trip to Detroit? No thank you. Even though that game is in a dome, the weather in Michigan isn’t something I want to experience that time of year.

The Hawaii Bowl would be nice for obvious reasons, but I’m going to go with the Las Vegas Bowl. It’s a Pac-12 vs. SEC matchup this coming season, so it’s not too far-fetched to think my Missouri Tigers could qualify for that game.

Plus, heading to Vegas in December is great. It’s not overly hot, but it’s not freezing cold like much of the country, either. And a nice 3-night trip, with the bowl game as the third night’s activity, is the perfect amount of time to spend in Sin City.

Whatever SEC team makes it to that bowl game this postseason is going to have a great time. I’m jealous already.

Have a question for next week’s Mailbag? Tweet at us using #SDSMailbag or email me at Adam.Spencer@xlmedia.com.