If we had a bruiser, 3 yards and a cloud of dust RB and crushing OL we win the UL no doubt and we make the Ole Miss game VERY close
We just need to get creative with our blocking if we're missing a bruiser at RB. I forget what team it was that motioned the TE from the slot into the A gap, and essentially used him as another guard to give them a 4 on 3 blocking edge in short yardage situation. Use a DT or extra guard in the backfield to act as a blocking fullback.
Sure, you declare what you're doing, but then it becomes a game of whether their smaller guy will beat our bigger guy off the block. The vast majority of times we
should (emphasis on
should) win those matchups, and the RB should have room to create extra yardage and keep the chains moving.
There's also the ability to create deception off those plays for the passing game.
At the end of the day, it's about how creative you want to get with personnel packages and schemes. Right now, the Miami Dolphins are probably the best in the business in terms of creating advantages at every level of the field. They're one of the few NFL teams I enjoy watching because of how creative their coach is.
EDIT:
This isn't the exact play I was thinking of, but similar TE motion into the gap concept: