[Tuck4Bama]

TUSCALOOSA -- The Southeastern Conference's rushing leader sat down Monday to discuss the importance of Saturday's game between Alabama and Arkansas.

Surprise, surprise, it wasn't the Razorbacks' Heisman candidate Darren McFadden, or their super substitute Felix Jones.

The gap in perception between Alabama freshman Terry Grant and Arkansas' talented tailbacking tandem couldn't be much wider. Which is why basically no one, including Grant, would have forecast him to be at the top of the SEC in rushing -- and eighth nationally -- after two weeks.

"I probably would have told them it was a lie," Grant said. "It came true. ... I'm still a freshman, just learning this game, really."

The 2007 season couldn't have started much better for Grant, who has scored touchdowns on the first snap in two consecutive games. A speedster who saw action in one game last year before hurting his shoulder and redshirting, Grant has taken off behind a resurgent offensive line and fueled Alabama's offense to this point.

He topped 100 yards in the first half against Western Carolina, finished off Vanderbilt with 120 second-half yards, and has five touchdowns to lead the SEC in scoring among non-kickers.

"Since he's my running back," Crimson Tide center Antoine Caldwell said, "I feel like he's the best running back in the SEC."

Grant, McFadden meet in battle of backs- al.com

[Stoney]

Well let's hear the naysayers on this one...