SEC Football 2017: Biggest x-factor for every team

Kentucky – Benny Snell Jr.

While Kentucky is mostly known for their basketball program, don’t sleep on the school’s running back, Benny Snell. Snell might be the best running back you never heard of. After sharing time with Stanley ‘Boom’ Williams in 2016, Snell is the workhorse heading into this season. It’s easy to see Snell as the X-Factor after an All-SEC Freshman season. Snell gives Wildcat fans a real reason to watch their football team, this guy is a stud who is on the Maxwell award watch list.

As a Freshman, Snell rushed for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 5.9 yard per carry clip will only improve as he heads into his sophomore campaign. Snell is a pure bulldozer who is shiftier than he appears at his size, 5-foot-11, 222 pounds. Mark Stoops has a reliable running back that he can build his offense around. Mark Stoops, the brother of Bob Stoops, will get a chance to make his retired brother proud.

Snell isn’t going to do much damage in the receiving game catching just two passes all year. Snell’s rushing ability is imperative to the Kentucky season as they don’t have much of an aerial attack. Stephen Johnson started most of the season last year and did flash some promise in an upset win over Louisville late in the year. However, his 13-6 touchdown to interception ratio isn’t good enough to get it done week to week in the SEC. Snell is going to have to be the bell cow behind a mediocre offensive line that lost their center Jon Toth to the NFL this year.