'Cadillac' chasing rushing title, weighing NFL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Carnell Williams has two figures in mind entering Wednesday's Music City Bowl: zero and 129.

The first is how many bowl games Auburn's junior tailback has played in because of injuries, the second the yardage he needs to overtake Alabama's Shaud Williams for the Southeastern Conference's rushing title.

"I want to be the leading rusher in this conference," Carnell Williams said, "especially with a guy from Bama holding it. Nothing against him, but that's our rival school.

"It's definitely a goal."

Claiming the rushing crown would also be a nice way to end his college career if Williams decides to leave school early for the NFL. He has said he will likely enter the draft if he's projected as a first-round pick, but indicated he won't make a decision until after Wednesday's game with Wisconsin.

Both teams are 7-5.

Williams already ranks sixth on Auburn's alltime rushing charts with 2,598 career yards and his 31 rushing touchdowns rank behind only Joe Cribbs and Bo Jackson. All five rushers ranked above him have gone on to NFL careers, including Jackson and the Carolina Panthers' Stephen Davis.

Williams has gotten nearly half his career yards (1,239) and touchdowns (an SEC-best 15) this season, his first injury-free year.

He missed the 2001 Peach Bowl with a broken shoulder bone and last year's Capital One Bowl with a broken leg. The biggest question confronting him entering this season wasn't one of talent but of durability.

Williams has proven he can stay healthy for a season, but knows there are still some concerns about his injury history leading up to his NFL decision.

"That's going to play a big factor," said Williams, who has four games with 150-plus yards this season. "I have had some past injuries. It would be a nice point to come back and show everybody that I can stay healthy. That's going to play a big role in it."

As for the ultimate decision: "I want to sit down with my family and get their opinion and their suggestions, but it's all going to boil down to me and what I want to do," he said.

In the meantime, the Tigers are happy to have him back, not that they missed him too much in last year's bowl win over Penn State. Backup Ronnie Brown, who is also exploring his NFL draft status, set Auburn postseason records with 184 yards and 37 carries, outshining Heisman Trophy finalist Larry Johnson.

Williams, Brown and Brandon Jacobs will be matched against Wisconsin's own talented running back trio. Dwayne Smith, Anthony Davis and Booker Stanley have combined for 1,984 and 21 touchdowns. Auburn's tailback trifecta has totaled 2,069 yards and 21 TDs.

Davis has missed much of the season with ankle injuries after rushing for more than 3,000 yards his first two years.

"We kind of like a challenge," Brown said. "Coming in and making comparisons with the running backs makes things a little bit more exciting and makes us want to do a little bit more out there.

"When the game starts, it's just the excitement to do well."

Nobody likely feels it more than Williams.