Cameron-Artis-Payne-runner-Bennett.jpg

Auburn running back Cameron Artis-Payne takes a handoff from Nick Marshall on the first day of spring practice on Tuesday. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

Every good football fan knows the basic statistics: total yards, rushing defense, yards per carry, sacks, tackles, etc. But like any statistic, the basics rarely tell the whole story, and in this series, AL.com aims to identify a few key numbers to watch as Auburn's 2014 season unfolds.

The question: With so many running backs in the mix, could Gus Malzahn use a by-committee approach similar to what LSU has done in the past?

The stat: Single-season carries.

The numbers: In eight seasons at the collegiate level, Malzahn has always had one running back emerge and carry the ball roughly twice as much as any other player at the position. A few backs, like Felix Jones in 2006 at Arkansas and In 2013, that was Tre Mason, who carried the ball 317 times -- the most for any Malzahn-coached running back -- but the rule applies to his time at Arkansas, Tulsa and Arkansas State, too. With the exception of last season, when Cameron Artis-Payne got 91 carries, the No. 2 running back in terms of workload is almost always the speed option: Onterio McCalebb averaged more than 100 carries in his three seasons with Malzahn.

The exception: When Malzahn has a running quarterback like Nick Marshall or Cam Newton, the quarterback can become a featured player in the running game; Newton led the 2010 team in carries by a wide margin, with 264, ahead of Mike Dyer's 182. Even in that scenario, though, the division of carries among running backs remained the same.

Why it matters: With Mason plying his trade in the NFL, there's some thinking that if redshirt freshman Peyton Barber or true freshman Roc Thomas impress early, they could force a committee situation with Artis-Payne. If Malzahn's history is any indication, though, a lead back will grab the role at some point in the season. For example, after three games last fall, both Mason and Artis-Payne had 39 carries. Then Mason carried the ball 26 times for 132 yards against LSU, and their roles were clearly defined. With Corey Grant already entrenched in the speed role, watch the first three games against Arkansas, San Jose State and Kansas State closely. That's likely when the lead back will emerge.