Les Miles' Use of Running Backs over 10 Years

In lieu of the dismay of Fournette only receiving 11 carries in bowl game, I decided to look at Miles' use of running backs during his tenure here.

The numbers tell an interesting story.

As you will see below, Les is far more likely to have NO RB carry the ball more than 15 carries in a game then he is to have ONE RB carry the ball more than 25 carries in a game.

However, when he has a back who has gone on to some level of success in the NFL he is more likely to ride him than when he doesn't. Joseph Addai carried the ball 20+ times in 6 games in 2005. Steven Ridley carried the ball 20+ times in 5 games in 2010. Jeremy Hill carried the ball 20+ times 4 times in 2013.

Next year you will see Fournette carry the ball 20+ times in 4-6 of the games. That is the historical pattern over 10 years. No back has carried the ball that many times in more than 6 games in Miles' entire tenure.

I do have to point out in the review of the stats, Les is not one of these coaches that will leave his guys in a cupcake game just so he can build his stats. Thus, by in large the numbers our RB's put up are against SEC caliber competition.

Les has coached 132 games at LSU and here is the breakdown of his use of Rb's:

Games of 30+ carries by one RB - 1 (Addai - 2005 vs. Florida) = .7% of games
Games of 25+ carries by one RB - 8 = 6% of games
Games of 20+ carries by one RB - 26 = 20% of games
Games of 15+ carries by one RB - 47 = 36% of games
Games when NO RB had more the 15+ carries - 50 =39% of games