We have reviewed the quarterback matchup between LSU’s Max Johnson and Alabama’s Bryce Young. Focus shifts to their backfield mates in Ty Davis-Price for the Tigers and Brian Robinson Jr of the Tide.
Both are experienced veterans of their group and both had high expectations going into the season. As it sits right now they are ranked No. 6 (Davis-Price) and No. 4 (Robinson) in the SEC. Both runners will have an opportunity to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark by the season’s end.
Let’s see who has the advantage going into Saturday night’s game.
Ty-Davis Price vs Brian Robinson Jr
How do the two feature backs stack up?
| Davis-Price | vs | Robinson Jr |
| 6-1 | Ht | 6-1 |
| 232 | Wt | 228 |
| Junior | Class | Senior |
| 120 | Carries | 142 |
| 628 | Yards | 706 |
| 5.2 | YPC | 5.0 |
| 372 (3.1 per carry) | YAC | 506 (3.56 per carry) |
| 6 | TDs | 11 |
Edge: Brian Robinson Jr
From the 40,000 foot view, their numbers are comparable. TDP has a slight edge with 5.2 yards per attempt versus Robinson’s 5.0 per attempt. However, those numbers don’t necessarily reflect which back is having the better season. As always, there is context.
Twice this season in eight games, Davis-Price has rushed for more than five yards per attempt. Against the Kentucky Wildcats, that number was 6.7 yards per attempt and against the Florida Gators it was 8.0. In every other game that number drops to 4.6 or lower. The high of 4.6 came against FCS level opponent, McNeese on eight carries.
On the flip side, half of Robinson’s games have come at a clip of five yards per attempt or better. The lowest is 3.8 against Mississippi State. The same Bulldogs defense that surrendered just 3.9 on 13 carries to Davis-Price.
Robinson has shown to be the better runner this season, the better scorer, and he has been used in the passing game.
Rushing Defense Rankings
How the defenses stack up in the run game according to their SEC rankings.
| LSU | vs | Alabama |
| 304 (7th) | Att | 250 (3rd) |
| 1,328 (9th) | Yards | 717 (2nd) |
| 4.37 (11th) | YPA | 2.87 (2nd) |
| 166.0 (9th) | YPG | 89.63 (2nd) |
| 12 (8th) | TDs | 7 (4th) |