Auburn football: Gene Chizik says Tigers have 4th best run game in SEC

Historically, the Auburn football program has been known more for their running game than their passing game, and the Tigers tend to see more success keeping the ball out of the air. With a history of powerhouse running backs, the run game is always at the forefront on the Plains.

Bo Jackson, Carnell Williams, Michael Dyer, Tre Mason, and Kerryon Johnson are just a few successful former running backs out of the Auburn football program. In the Bryan Harsin era, the responsibility of the run game will mostly fall on the shoulders of Tank Bigsby, with the help of Shaun Shivers and incoming freshman Jarquez Hunter.

Despite the impact players on the Tigers’ RB roster, former Auburn football coach Gene Chizik doesn’t even think the Tigers’ run game belongs in the top-3 of the SEC. Chizik slotted AU at #4, behind Georgia, Texas A&M, and Alabama:

Bigsby, considered by many to be one of the best running backs in college football heading into the 2021 season, racked up 834 rushing yards for five touchdowns in his true freshman season last year. He’s on the watchlist for both the Walter Camp Award and Doak Walker Award.

Senior Zamir White leads the charge for the Georgia running backs, racking up 779 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, and there are five other RBs on the depth chart behind him. Texas A&M is loaded up with Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, and Spiller is known for dodging tackles while Achane is known for speed.

Finally, across the state at Tuscaloosa, there is room for someone to break out as a star in the wake of Najee Harris heading to the NFL. Working to find your new starter doesn’t exactly scream top-3 dominant run games to me.

The Auburn football program is ready to take on the run game in 2021, and Tank Bigsby, Shaun Shivers, and Jarquez Hunter are going to make up one formidable running backs room.