by Lee Brecheen
August 24, 2010 - All Tiger fans are looking into how good they can be in 2010. I thought I would write a story about what’s most important for the Tigers to be in the running for a great season in 2010, and that all starts with stopping the run of every powerful offense in the SEC. The problem of not stopping the run is the other team controls the clock and the game. I feel too many people have put too much on Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. I think its all about your defense dominating and giving the offense the ball in the red zone, which is something that’s been missing the last two years. Great defenses make QB’s great. Just ask former LSU National Championship QB Matt Mauck and last years National Championship QB Greg McElroy from Alabama, and I bet you they would agree.In 2009 I never thought Tim Tebow beat LSU like in the past. Last year LSU was beat by the run game of Florida and Florida controlling the clock in doing so, which gave a young QB like Jordan Jefferson fewer chances to get the ball. If the fans remember Tim played the LSU game basically trying to just hand the ball off and wasn’t 100 percent for the game. The Alabama loss, even though LSU was in the game at the start of the fourth quarter and their where some calls that did not go their way, you could tell the LSU defense was worn out defending the run, and Bama controlled the clock in the last 10 minutes to win the game.
In the Penn State game, LSU did not dominate on defense. I know the game was wet and the field was bad, but the Penn State offense, which to me had a average run game, ran the ball good enough to kill many minutes, and not allow LSU more opportunities on offense to score or have great field position.
This year again the success and non success will hinge on the Defensive Line and Linebacker core to dominate and give the offense more chances in the red zone to score, like past great LSU teams. Let’s take a look at what teams have strong runs games and who these players are in 2010.
Florida
The two players that hurt LSU in 2009 are back . They are Jeff Demps (5-8, 184) who runs a true 4.4/40 and Chris Rainey (5-9, 176) who runs a 4.39/40 and is very quick also. These two backs gave LSU trouble all night in BR in 2009. Throw in Senior Emmanuel Moody (5-11, 212), and Sophomore Mike Gillislee (5-11, 191), and you have a run game that might not need new QB Brantley to beat you.
West Virginia
Noel Devine (5-8, 180, 4.3/40) and has a chance to be a Heisman candidate with a great showing in 2010. This kid can take it 80 yards any given play in a game. He will be a tough task to stop for any good defense for 60 minutes.
Auburn
Most people on the plains will tell you the RB with the most ability, but stayed hurt last year was Mario Fannin (5-11, 227), who has power and speed, and is finally healthy for 2010. Throw in freshman player of the year by many, RB Michael Dyer (5-8, 205),and you have a improved run game for Auburn.
Alabama
The Heisman trophy winner returns in Mark Ingram (5-10, 220), and he’s just unstoppable for 60 minutes. He reminds me of Emmitt Smith from the SEC years ago. He gets better, when you get tired late in the game. Throw in future 1st round pick sophomore Trent Richardson, the best backup RB in America, and you can wear down the Detroit lions with this running game. Red shirt Freshman RB Eddie Lacy from Dutchtown HS is waiting in the wings at 5-11. 225, and will play in the NFL too
Vandy
Even though Vandy lost their coach Bobby Johnson, and a lot of Experience overall in the trenches, they return two ALL SEC freshman RB’s in Warren Norman and Zac Stacey. Don’t take Vandy lightly when you have two great backs to run the ball.
Tennessee
I know TN doesn’t have a great QB and I know they lost some players, but don’t over look a team which has two really good RB’s in Tauren Poole (5-11, 211), who had a great spring, and sophomore sensation Oklahoma player of the year David Oku (5-10, 190), who runs 4.45/40 and ended up being better than Bryce Brown from Kansas last year.
Mississippi State
I know State lost four year starter Anthony Dixon who’s doing really well in San Fransisco, but the faster more gifted RB with all the intangibles returns in Robert Elliott, who goes 6-2, 215 pounds and is a tad bit faster than Dixon. Elliott might be the most gifted RB ever at State.
Arkansas
Ronnie Wingo played as a true freshman in 2009, and stands 6-3, 220 pounds, and looks a lot like former LSU Tiger Harvey Williams in build and speed. Wingo runs a 4.45/40, and his backup is veteran stump runner Dennis Johnson (5-8, 213), who is like tackling a moving stump. Throw in the power back former USC player Broderick Green (6-2, 247), and you have yourself a pretty good running game.
ULM
ULM has a young team, and a young new QB, but they have a NFL prospect in former West Monroe player Frank Goodin (5-9, 205) who runs a 4.5/40 and is tough to tackle and stop for 60 minutes.
Ole Miss
Junior RB Brandon Bolden right here from Baton Rouge, LA will be the main RB for Ole Miss this year. Brandon has had some great games against Alabama, and several other schools in his young Career as a backup to now NFL player Dexter McCluster. Brandon goes 5-11, 225 pounds and runs a legit 4.45/40. He brings power and speed and will be tough to stop for the Tigers. Enrique Davis comes off the bench to give Brandon a rest and goes 6-0, 220, and runs a 4.5/40. I don’t think Ole Miss is down, they will be more of a running team this year losing Snead, and they have the backs to be very good.
If LSU can hold up and stop these great backs then the offense will have a chance to put some points up and be in every game.
