Auburn Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season

3. Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson will both rush for 1000 yards

Last season Kamryn Pettway led the entire SEC in rushing with 1224 yards only 209 carries, and he did it in only nine games. When healthy Pettway was without a doubt the best player on Auburn’s offense. His aggressive, downhill running style delivered punishment on opposing defenses at the line of scrimmage.

When he wasn’t available, the team shifted running back duties to Kerryon Johnson, who’d previously served as a shifty, elusive change-of-pace supplemental player. In Pettway’s absence, Johnson delivered four games of 90 or more yards and ultimately finish the season with 895 yards rushing on 182 carries.

Going into the 2017 season, coach Gus Malzahn has committed to splitting carries between his two star running backs, as opposed to declaring one player the team’s lead back and the other a backup. This strategy should allow the Tigers to keeping a quality, fresh back in the game at all times, and allow the War Eagle’s offense to impose its will on opposing defenses.

While Kamryn Pettway can deliver power on short yardage and early downs, Kerryon Johnson brings a more elusive dynamic that can help the team in obvious passing downs, a thunder and lighting combo that is surefire recipe for success.