As Texas A&M found out the last two seasons, even the smallest of cracks in an SEC run defense can cause massive fissures.

This year is no different, as every SEC defense must face a slew of talented running backs. Lumping in non-conference opponents, here’s a look at the three most talented backs each SEC team will play in 2015.

ALABAMA

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Corey Clement, Wisconsin

The Crimson Tide front seven is being touted as potentially the best run defense in the country. Well, it better be. Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins, Jalen Hurd, Jovon Robinson and Tra Carson are just a few of the running backs that didn’t even crack the top three, and several of them could produce 1,000-yard seasons.

ARKANSAS

  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Derrick Henry, Alabama
  • Kareem Hunt, Toledo

Can the Razorbacks remain stout without the Bermuda Triangle? The reworked front seven will get tested immediately: Hunt was a 1,600-yard rusher last season for the Rockets (Sept. 12), and Aaron Jones managed 1,321 rushing yards for UTEP (Sept. 5) last season. Mizzou’s Russell Hansbrough is another 1,000-yard rusher who didn’t make this top three.

AUBURN

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Derrick Henry, Alabama

If you’ve read this entire post rather than skip to the Auburn section, you’ll notice a trend. The SEC West schedule is brutal for run defenses. The Tigers have the misfortune of facing Georgia as well. Not on this list are Arkansas’ pair of 1,000-yard rushers, among others.

FLORIDA

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Dalvin Cook, Florida State
  • Leonard Fournette, LSU

Cook, currently suspended after an arrest allegedly for punching a woman, is unlikely to play against the Gators, but could be back on the team by Nov. 28. East Carolina’s offense always is productive, and Chris Hairston averaged 6.7 yards per carry last season. Players like Russell Hansbrough, Boom Williams, Jalen Hurd and more will provide tests in the SEC East.

GEORGIA

  • Derek Henry, Alabama
  • Russell Hansbrough, Missouri
  • Matt Breida, Georgia Southern

At 5-foot-10, 189 pounds, Breida isn’t as physically imposing as any of the running backs Georgia practices against every day. But Breida averaged 8.7 yards per carry in the triple-option offense, and offers the team a terrific preview of Georgia Tech the following week. Auburn (Jovon Robinson), Tennessee (Jalen Hurd) and others could’ve made the list as well.

KENTUCKY

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Russell Hansbrough, Missouri
  • Jalen Hurd, Tennessee

No SEC schedule is easy against the run, and Kentucky’s will be tough. But at least UK avoids Derrick Henry, Leonard Fournette, Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins in the SEC West. Auburn and Mississippi State are intimidating running teams, but don’t yet possess a clear No. 1 running back. Charlotte’s Kalif Phillips ran for 1,436 yards in 2014. The 49ers return three good starters on the offensive line, so that won’t be a cake matchup for UK’s run defense.

LSU

  • Derrick Henry, Alabama
  • Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
  • Alex Collins, Arkansas

The Tigers avoid Georgia and inherit a relatively tame non-conference schedule in terms of running backs, deservedly so after facing Melvin Gordon to open last year. Western Kentucky’s Leon Allen (1,542 yards in ’14) is very productive, but he and his offensive line aren’t as good as the running games LSU will face in the SEC West, even from teams like Auburn, Florida and South Carolina.

MISSISSIPPI STATE

  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Derrick Henry, Alabama
  • Kenneth Dixon, Louisiana Tech

The matchup of Bulldogs (Oct. 17) will feature former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel returning to the SEC, but Dixon is the player to watch. He managed 28 total touchdowns in 2014 and is a threat to reach 2,000 total yards this season. Mississippi State also faces Mizzou’s Russell Hansbrough and Kentucky’s Boom Williams from the SEC East in addition to the SEC West gauntlet.

MISSOURI

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Jonathan Williams, Arkansas
  • Alex Collins, Arkansas

Not listed here is Arkansas State back Michael Gordon, who managed 6.9 yards per carry last year. Mizzou also must tackle Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd and Kentucky’s Boom Williams. But if the team wants three consecutive SEC East titles, it must find some way to slow down Georgia’s running game. That’s a very tall task with such a depleted defensive line.

OLE MISS

  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Derrick Henry, Alabama
  • Jonathan Williams, Arkansas

Not that Vanderbilt’s Ralph Webb and Florida’s Kelvin Taylor are bad backs, but considering their respective offensive lines, the Rebels get a relatively easy slate of cross-division running games. Fresno State and Memphis don’t present too much running game trouble in the non-conference schedule, either. Auburn and Mississippi State aren’t on this list, but should run the ball well.

SOUTH CAROLINA

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Russell Hansbrough, Missouri

The Gamecocks face three of the five most productive returning running backs in the SEC, avoiding only the Arkansas duo. The non-conference schedule does the team no favors — North Carolina and Clemson don’t have a singular backfield star, but each team can run the ball effectively. And UCF’s William Stanback, if healthy, is good enough to start for a few SEC teams.

TENNESSEE

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Derrick Henry, Alabama
  • Samaje Perine, Oklahoma

The Vols avoid many tough quarterback matchups this season, but pay for it in spades with the running back lineup. These backs didn’t even make Tennessee’s top three: Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins, Russell Hansbrough, Boom Williams and Travis Greene (a potential All-MAC player).

TEXAS A&M

  • Leonard Fournette, LSU
  • Derrick Henry, Alabama
  • Jonathan Williams, Arkansas

New defensive coordinator John Chavis must boost the run defense. That’s a daunting priority in the SEC West, but at least the non-conference slate of Ball State, Nevada and Western Carolina presents little difficulty in the running game, and even Arizona State lacks a star back with D.J. Foster lining up at receiver. Crossover opponents Vanderbilt and South Carolina aren’t built to run for 300 yards against the Aggies.

VANDERBILT

  • Nick Chubb, Georgia
  • Russell Hansbrough, Missouri
  • Jalen Hurd, Tennessee

Just like LSU, Vandy must contend with Leon Allen in the non-conference schedule. The Commodores get a break with the crossover schedule, though, facing Ole Miss — the weakest running team in the SEC West — and Texas A&M, which is overhauling its run concepts.