The Healthy Rivalry Challenge: Davis to Lattimore

Spurrier said at the outset of the SEC Media Days, in which press credentials are handed out like candy, that this was the, "Talkin' Season."

Arkansas running back Kniles Davis won the first round of the Talkin' Season by offering Marcus Lattimore an honorable challenge. Knile Davis says he's still SEC's best RB.

Best moment: Davis was as cool and relaxed as ever during his time in Hoover. He had no problem proclaiming that he still was the league's best running back, but the best moment came when he was leaving our room. As Davis headed toward the door, Chris asked him if he still thought he was the best and Davis replied with a smile, "Still the best and tell Marcus [Lattimore] I'm coming for him."

ESPN SEC Blog, Edward Aschoff, Best of the 2012 SEC media days (scroll down to heading "Best Moment")(July 20, 2012).

Davis' statement was timely and positive. If you're a player at a school in the SEC, and a competitive person by nature, then it is expected you will talk big at the SEC Media Days. Davis did the same in 2011 as he did in 2012. Arkansas players talk big during SEC Media Days. That is a good strategy for the Talkin' Season. You have to view Davis' Challange as one that will last season-long, as in: In the End, We Will See Who is Better.

As a Gamecock Fan and Blogger, I hereby thank Davis for an honorable Woo Pig Sooee verses a Rooster Crow. That is throwing the gauntlet down in front of Marcus at the entrance to the Vanderbilt Stadium.

Meanwhile, Davis threw down a gauntlet before himself for the Arkansas' home opener against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, an FCS team from the Ohio Valley Conference.

Both Davis and Lattimore are recovering from injuries. Lattimore's was a knee. Davis fractured his left ankle. Knees and ankles are both critical parts of a running back's tools. Despite the injuries, both running backs are picked by coaches at SEC Media Days as the two First Team SEC football running backs. SEC Announces Coaches Preseason All-SEC Teams. Both were picked ahead of numerous other quality SEC running backs.

Not much is really known about Lattimore's recovery except it is reported to be on track, or slightly ahead of schedule.

Davis, on the other hand, is reportedly squatting 600 pounds and cutting and accelerating at full speed.

In any case, this is a "Healthy Challenge" that bears watching on a game-by-game basis all season long. Carolina fans know this sentiment of health very well because we sing it at the end of our school song. Hopefully, this blog will be able to keep up with and report on the Kniles Davis Challenge.