Auburn’s Best Running Back Needs More Carries

By Weston Brown @WestonBrown32 on October 16, 2014

Last season the Auburn Tigers’ rushing attack unquestionably dominated each opponent’s defense like no other team’s attack has in years. The running game looked almost effortless and everyone knew they were going to run, run and run some more. Heck, their rushing attack was so imposing, they really didn’t even need to pass the ball.

But through six games this season, with the exception of the game against Les Miles’ bunch, the offense just hasn’t looked as fluid as it once did. Maybe the departure of Heisman finalist Tre Mason has something to do with it, or maybe Gus Malzahn feels that Auburn’s offense needs to be more balanced in order to compete for the SEC Championship. Maybe the best running back on the team just isn’t seeing the field as much as he probably should.

Now, obviously Auburn still has one of the premiere rushing attacks in the nation with Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant leading the way. Artis-Payne is a bulldozer of a running back and usually runs pretty effectively between the tackles, and Grant is a speedy, open-field runner and one of the fastest players in the SEC. Last Saturday the Mississippi State Bulldogs fielded a stingy rushing defense that held Artis-Payne and Grant in check, however, and neither player was very effective throughout Saturday’s rainy, sloppy game.

When freshman Roc Thomas entered the game in the second half he was given a few opportunities to carry the ball and did so spectacularly. Each time Thomas touched the ball he gained positive yardage and averaged seven yards per carry, showing flashes of greatness in the few opportunities he was given. He was able to exploit a few weaknesses in the staunch Bulldog defense with the minimal time that he played.

Thomas has played in a few games this season and has looked like he could be a special running back reminiscent of Michael Dyer in 2010 if given the opportunity to prove himself. He seems to be a solid mixture of both Artis-Payne and Grant. I think Thomas absolutely needs to see more playing time in order for Auburn to have any shot at running the table the remainder of the season and hoping for a spot in the college football playoff.

Weston Brown is a College Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @WestonBrown32, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.