Auburn football: Don’t rush to who’s starting RB, enjoy abilities backs bring to offense

The Auburn football team turned to Kam Martin first in the backfield Saturday against No. 6 Washington and he produced, while JaTarvious Whitlow owned two of the Tigers’ biggest runs of the game.

What does it mean?

The easy answer is: probably nothing. At least not yet.

Martin had the most carries for Auburn on Saturday, running 22 times and catching five passes out of the backfield. He led the team with 80 rushing yards and added 32 receiving. But Whitlow entered the game late on the game-winning drive.

Martin ran for eight yards to the UW 13 for a first down, but was held to three yards on consecutive plays. That’s when offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey sent in Whitlow. The redshirt freshman had his number called and scored his first career touchdown to give Auburn the lead.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Whitlow said. “I’m going to beat you. You’re not going to beat me. That’s how I feel. That’s how I take every opponent. I’m going to work harder than you.”

That prompted some people to proclaim that Whitlow should be the starter moving forward.

Yes, Whitlow’s 10-yard TD run on third down was huge and impressive (he ran over a defender). His conversion run on third-and-2 to seal the victory also was big. Both those plays showed that Auburn football coaches have faith in the running back who was playing his first collegiate game.

But it doesn’t mean they’ve lost faith in Martin. Remember, Martin picked up 19 yards and nearly took it to the house on a big fourth-and-1 play that led to a field goal and 12-3 Auburn advantage.

Martin and Whitlow are not the same type of back. Both bring their skill sets to a talented Auburn offense. Last season, Auburn relied so much on Kerryon Johnson that when he was hurt and not his normal self in the final two games of the season, the Auburn offense sputtered. Defenses knew he couldn’t run with the authority he normally did and they teed off on Jarrett Stidham.

If Auburn has two good options — no matter who steps on the field for the first play — that’s a great thing for this offense. If a third, even a fourth back, emerges (Shaun Shivers, Asa Martin, Mali Miller when he’s healthy), even better.

To their credit, Whitlow and Martin appear to be enjoying the moment:

Fresh legs are good things and the Auburn backfield should be able to run enough talented players at opponents to not rely on one back running the ball 25 or more times in a game.

Look for Martin and Whitlow to get their carries in the first half Saturday against Alabama State, but then the other backs will get their opportunity to make a case for playing time.

Competition? It’s a healthy thing.

And Auburn has plenty of it in 2018.