As we said in yesterday’s post ranking the SEC’s quarterback units, Tennessee shows up in the Top 4 in five of eight SEC unit rankings in the 2020 edition of our Gameday on Rocky Top magazine. The Vols QBs were ranked No. 4 yesterday, and today, the running backs also come in at No. 4.
2020 SEC Running Back Rankings
 | Alabama returns 94% of its 2,067 rushing yards from last season, including 1,224 from stud running back Najee Harris alone, who also ended 13 carries in the end zone. Harris accounted for 59% of Alabama’s rushing yards, so his return was welcome news. But he isn’t alone. Also returning are Brian Robinson Jr. (441 yards and 5 TDs) and Keilan Robinson (254 yards and 2 TDs). In all, Alabama loses only about 6% of its rushing attack, so expect the Tide to lead the way in the league this fall. | |||
| Returning Production (in yards) | Unit Recruiting Ranking | |||
| 1 | Rushing | Receiving | Overall | |
| 1941 | 428 | 2369 | 4 |
 | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | The Wildcats led the SEC in rushing offense last season, and all of the running backs return, including Asim Rose and Kavosiey Smoke. | ||
| Rushing | Receiving | Overall | |||
| 2 | 2084 | 95 | 2179 | 12 | |
 | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | Like the Wildcats, the Tigers return 100% of their rushing yards from their running backs this fall. Leading the way is Larry Rountree III. | ||
| Rushing | Receiving | Overall | |||
| 3 | 1569 | 453 | 2022 | 11 | |
 | Returning Production | Unit Recruiting Ranking | The Vols return their three-headed attack of Ty Chandler, Eric Gray, and Tim Jordan from last season and hope for more behind a big offensive line. | ||
| Rushing | Receiving | Overall | |||
| 4 | 1654 | 224 | 1878 | 10 |
| Returning Production | |||||
| Rank | Team | Rushing | Receiving | Overall | Unit Recruiting Ranking |
| 5 | Mississippi State | 1451 | 204 | 1655 | 7 |
| 6 | Georgia | 794 | 169 | 963 | 3 |
| 7 | Mississippi | 1303 | 265 | 1568 | 9 |
| 8 | Auburn | 822 | 210 | 1032 | 2 |
| 9 | Arkansas | 1222 | 170 | 1392 | 14 |
| 10 | LSU | 669 | 157 | 826 | 6 |
| 11 | Texas A&M | 946 | 203 | 1149 | 8 |
| 12 | Florida | 463 | 75 | 538 | 1 |
| 13 | South Carolina | 290 | 26 | 316 | 5 |
| 14 | Vanderbilt | 350 | 67 | 417 | 13 |
Additional comments
With Tua gone and an outstanding offensive line, this may be the year we see Alabama return to its run game roots, and it will be in good hands not only with Najee Harris, but with a couple of excellent complements as well.
Kentucky’s running game wasn’t the best in the league just because of Lynn Bowden, but also because of Asim Rose, Kavosiey Smoke, and Christopher Rodriguez. And Missouri is likely to lean on Larry Rountree III to help ease the transition to a new-look offense.
Then there’s Tennessee, led by Ty Chandler, Eric Gray, and Tim Jordan. With the way Gray finished last season, he is probably going to push Chandler for some serious playing time, and with their own outstanding offensive line, these guys should be primed for a solid season.
Your thoughts
What do y’all think? Where did we get it right? Where are we wrong?
I feel UK is a bit high after losing Bowden. But the 2-4 spots are all pretty close. And I feel the Vols would be #2, but that may be some orange tint going on there.
I also think UGA might be a bit low
I think I felt all those same feelings while putting this together. I was surprised, though, at just how effective those three RBs for Kentucky were and also at how much of the load D’Andre Swift was responsible for at Georgia last year. Can’t wait to find out how things shake out this fall.
Do you think losing Tim Jordan will affect Tennessee’s ranking much? We still seem pretty deep at the position so there’s a good chance there will be another dependable guy to help carry the load. Also I didn’t realize that Jordan only scored 4 TDs in his career with only 1 of those coming last year. However, a respectable 4 ypc on 100 carries is very helpful. Do you think either Hodge or Small could be able to replace or improve that?
Good question. I’ll run the numbers with Jordan not returning to see what happens. My gut tells me not a whole lot changes, but there may not be much difference between those teams, too.
But first, family movie night with Aladdin. First time for the nine-year-old. Woo.
I’ll follow it up with another good question. Animated or live action Aladdin?
Old school animated to begin. I actually haven’t seen the live action one yet, but man, props to Will Smith for even daring to fill those shoes. He’s one of a very few that I think could do it. We’ll watch that one soon.
yes Bowden led the SEC in rushing only playing eight games at QB position. Kentucky still has stable of backs led by AJ Rose to take pressure off of Wilson. do not forget Wilson has some wheels he threw for two scores and ran for one at that win in the “Swamp” I still believe Kentucky will surprise people but no one in this state will believe it until they do it and I sure hope they do so all of the media in Tennessee can shut up. A Kentucky media member asked Stoops how do you feel about all… Read more »