In an age when spread offenses rule the kingdom that is college football, it’s hard to find a pure power running back that’s worthy of high praise.
But they’re definitely around and if you play in the SEC, there’s at least one that isn’t hard to find — Georgia running back Todd Gurley.
Gurley, a junior who will almost certainly go pro after this season, is as good as it gets.
The North Carolina native has rushed for 402 yards in three games this season (he barely played in Georgia’s last game, a 66-0 rout of Troy). Gurley is averaging 9.8 yards per carry so far this season.
And that’s not an anomaly. Gurley’s career average coming into the 2014 season was 6.1 yards per carry. That’s a very impressive number, especially when you play in the SEC.
It’s also worth mentioning that Gurley has done most of his damage this season against two very quality opponents — Clemson and South Carolina.
Gurley rushed for 329 yards against the Tigers and Gamecocks (198 against Clemson, 131 against South Carolina).
It stands to reason that Vols head coach Butch Jones is very, very aware of how dangerous Gurley is and how imperative it will be for Tennessee to stop him.
On Wednesday, during the weekly SEC coaches teleconference, Jones said “Todd Gurley is a great, great—and I say GREAT—football player”. He also added that “Gurley is one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time”.
It’s going to be a huge challenge for Tennessee to stop Gurley and the rest of Georgia’s potent rushing attack. The Vols’ run defense has been very good this season — better than most folks expected — but they have’t faced anything close to what the Bulldogs will present.
The Vols are a team that’s capable of beating Georgia, but the only way that will happen is if they can find a way to contain Gurley.
Of course, that’s easier said than done.
Tennessee is going to give up some rushing yards against Georgia. There’s no way around it. But if they can limit the big plays, especially on first down, and force the Bulldogs into obvious passing situations, then I think they have a legitimate shot at upsetting Georgia.
If, however, the Bulldogs are able to consistently pick up five or six yards on first down, it’ll be a long, long day for the Vols.