Going into the season many have
already deemed the duo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall the best two-back
tandem in college football, and rightfully so, but there will be a tandem in
Tuscaloosa, Alabama that will have something to say about that.
Gurley and Marshall together are
the modern day version of Ronnie Brown and Cornell “Cadillac” Williams, Gurley
gives you the power with Marshall complementing with the speed. The sophomore
duo have an above average freshmen season, the two combined for 2,144 yards and
25 touchdowns on the ground. The two also have big play ability, having the
explosiveness to see the endzone every time they touch the pigskin, Gurley’s
longest touchdown run of the season was 55 yards against Buffalo, with
Marshall’s longest touchdown run was 75 yards against Tennessee. With what was
on display last season, it’s only right to expect the same production or even
better with a veteran offensive line returning.
Now to the duo that will take the
nation by storm, T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry.
Yeldon and Henry will challenge the
tandem in Athens, Georgia. Yeldon, who split carries with Eddie Lacy last
season, had a very good freshmen season with 1,108 yards on the ground with 12
touchdowns. Yeldon also has explosiveness being able to score every time he
touches the ball, his longest touchdown run of the year was 43 yards.
The hype surrounding Derrick Henry
is much deserved, who is a freshman that will follow the trend of great backs
that have come through Alabama under Nick Saban. Henry who stands at 6 foot 3 inches and
238 pounds has tremendous size just happens to run a 4.45 40-yard dash, with
that size and speed he will be a nightmare for defensive backs in the SEC.
Are you curious to know how Henry performed in high school? Henry is the all-time leading rusher in high school football history.
One tandem is proven, with one half
of the other tandem proven. The argument is stronger for the backfield who calls
Athens, Georgia home, but the guys under Saban will shine bright under the lights.
Who do you believe will have the
better season? Is it Gurley and Marshall or Yeldon and Henry?
Justin Tyree
ESPN 730 Charlotte Bobcats Insider and College Football Blogger
Twitter: @JTyree704
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SportsFromMyEyes
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