We may be in the midst tempo-centric, pass-happy offenses, there’s still several programs who have built an illustrious foundation between the tackles.

Ranked by total yards on the ground, here are the top rushing teams in SEC history (stats courtesy of Sports Reference):

7. Auburn (1985): 3,438 total yards rushing, 312.5 rushing yards per game

  • Bo Jackson: 1,786 yards, 17 TDs
  • Brent Fulwood: 684 yards, 6 TDs
  • Tommie Agee: 402 yards, 4 TDs

Led by the second-greatest running back in SEC history behind Herschel Walker, top-ranked Auburn beat two ranked teams to begin the season 8-2 before finishing the slate with consecutive losses to Alabama and Texas A&M. At the time, Jackson’s 1,786 yards rushing set a school record and was the second-highest SEC total in a single season. He was awarded Auburn’s second Heisman Trophy, following Pat Sullivan’s honor in 1971.

6. Alabama (1971): 3,565 total yards rushing, 324.1 rushing yards per game

  • Johnny Musso: 1,088 yards, 16 TDs
  • Ellis Beck: 556 yards, 2 TDs
  • Terry Davis: 448 yards, 6 TDs

Led by one of the most dominant Wishbone rushing attacks in the era, the Crimson Tide won 11 straight games with a fierce in-your-face scheme before falling to top-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl (national title game). Johnny Musso averaged a team-best 5.7 yards per carry. During the season, John Mitchell became the first African American to play on Alabama’s varsity team.

5. Arkansas (2007): 3,725 total yards rushing, 286.5 rushing yards per game

  • Darren McFadden: 1,830 yards, 16 TDs
  • Felix Jones: 1,162 yards, 11 TDs
  • Peyton Hillis: 347 yards, 2 TDs

One of only three SEC players to ever rush for over 1,800 yards in a single season, McFadden won his second consecutive Doak Walker Award, became a two-time Heisman finalist and was a consensus All-American. Paired with Jones who was a terrific special teams threat, the Razorbacks changed the way defenses schemed against various formations (including the Wildcat) and recruited athletic, faster personnel. The brains behind the madness? Gus Malzahn of course, who developed the Wild Hog formation that Houston Nutt utilized following his play-caller’s departure to Tulsa.

4. Alabama (1979): 3,792 total yards rushing, 344.7 rushing yards per game

  • Steadman Shealy: 791 yards rushing, 11 TDs
  • Steve Whitman: 653 yards rushing, 2 TDs
  • Major Ogilvie: 512 yards, 9 TDs

Using a by-committee approach during one of Bear Bryant’s most impressive campaigns, the Crimson Tide rotated an incredible six ballcarriers to blow the doors off the SEC during a perfect 12-0 season that ended with the program’s 11th national title (and second straight). Alabama attempted just 112 passes all season, but outscored its opponents, 383-67.

3. Auburn (2010): 3,987 total yards rushing, 284.8 rushing yards per game

  • Cam Newton: 1,473 yards rushing, 20 TDs
  • Michael Dyer: 1,093 yards rushing, 5 TDs
  • Onterio McCalebb: 810 yards yards rushing, 9 TDs

Transfer quarterback Newton took the SEC by storm as a first-year starter, an unstoppable dual-threat at 6-foot-6, 250 pounds. His total offense numbers crushed several league records and paved the way for the Tigers to win a BCS Championship at 14-0. Five-star true freshman Dyer was the primary back and made quite a splash in Malzahn’s scheme, but only lasted one season following his dismissal.

2. Alabama (1973): 4,027 total yards rushing, 366.1 rushing yards per game

  • Wilbur Jackson: 752 yards rushing, 8 TDs
  • Richard Todd: 560 yards rushing, 2 TDs
  • Randy Billingsley: 443 yards rushing, 6 TDs

An unbeaten SEC slate wasn’t quite enough for the Crimson Tide who lost by a point to Notre Dame on New Year’s Eve in the Sugar Bowl to squander a unanimous national championship season. As was often the case under Bryant, Alabama imposed its will and dominated league competition with a balanced rushing scheme. Leading rusher Jackson was the first African American offered a scholarship by the Crimson Tide and was later inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

1. Auburn (2013): 4,596 total yards rushing, 328.3 rushing yards per game

  • Tre Mason: 1,816 yards rushing, 23 TDs
  • Nick Marshall: 1,068 yards rushing, 12 TDs
  • Corey Grant: 647 yards rushing, 6 TDs
  • Cameron Artis-Payne: 610 yards rushing, 6 TDs

Mason’s 1,816 yards rushing broke Jackson’s 28-year record and helped the Tigers reach the BCS Championship Game during the single greatest turnaround from the previous season in SEC history. Mason’s spectacular total included a mammoth 46-carry, 304-yard performance against Mizzou in Atlanta, a convincing outing for the SEC’s player of the year. His 23 touchdowns tied Tim Tebow’s single-season league record. First-year starting quarterback Marshall was effective as a run-pass threat, finishing with just over 1,000 yards on the ground.