There is no doubting that Fred Taylor and Errict Rhett were superb and successful backs. But if you look at UF's rushing production after Taylor left following the 1997 season, the numbers are pretty pedestrian, despite the fact that at least one NFL level back -- Ernest Graham-- played during that time. According to Gatorzone, UF averaged 115 ypg in 1998; 110 ypg in 2000; and 122 ypg in 2001 (for some reason, I could not find 1999 stats on Gatorzone). Those are bottom of the SEC type numbers. During his 5 years at S. Carolina, he's had 4 seasons where his team averaged between 94 and 121 ypg for the season, which is awful. The one outlier is the 2006 team, which was still stocked with Lou Holtz's personnel. That team rushed for a gaudy 144 ypg, which is still only fair to middling by SEC standards.
So, did Taylor and Rhett succeed in Spurrier's system because they were such good backs that they would have succeeded in any system or was it Steve's systemand his ability to deploy the running game? I think the former is as likely as the latter, based on his career coaching performance.
Spurrier is a great coach, but I think it is fair question as to whether he really knows how to use the running game to maximum efficiency. He has nearly 10 years of doubt-producing results. And I think that is why good backs don't want to come play for him at S. Carolina. Perhaps Lattimore will be the exception. It is obvious that he prefers to pass and lacks the patience of most good running game practioners. His linemen are passblockers for the most part. And he will never have the talent edge at S. Carolina that he sometimes had at UF. I don't think the answer is as clear as you make it seem.
A nerve? No. You asked a question. I answered it. You didn't like the answer so you resorted to a common tactic of ridiculing the answer which doesn't address the content of the answer itself.
Are there any running backs currently at USC of the caliber of Fred Taylor or Errict Rhett? No. Have there been? No. Was there anyone close? You could argue Corey Boyd was. He rushed for over 1000 yards in a season while at USC. He also had over 1000 yards receiving in a season while at USC, but in a different season than the one where he rushed for 1000 yards. His final season at USC he rushed for over 900 yards.
I get it. You think Lattimore should go to Auburn. You're a fan and that sentiment is understandable. Holding the opinion that SOS doesn't know how to use running back effectively will not make Lattimore's matriculation to Auburn more likely so I'm not sure why this distinction is so important to you.
