College Football is a great little machine. No matter the year, you are sure that great players will have great seasons and no matter the position, there will always be a discussion on which player is better.
Even with the loss of players such as Darren McFadden, Steve Slaton, Ray Rice, and Mike Hart, 2008 has as good a crop of running backs as any year this decade.
So, without further ado, here it goes:
1. Chris 'Beanie' Wells, Ohio State
With all the hate that Ohio State receives every year, one thing nobody can question is the amount of talent the Buckeyes produce every year and Beanie is a prime example.
Even with a couple of nagging injuries all throughout last year, he still rushed for over 1,600 yards and scored fifteen touchdowns.
Now, healthy entering the season, and running behind an O-line that returns four starters and plugs in the best OL prospect (Mike Adams) at Right Tackle, expect Beanie to run for over 1800 yards and help Ohio State win another Big 10 title.
2. Ian Johnson, Boise St.
Injuries slowed Johnson down last year (207 carries, down from 276 in 2006) and limited him to 1,041 yards rushing (he did score 16 TDs).
But expect Johnson to have another great year for a team that is good enough to crash the BCS party for the second time in three years.
- B/R Ticket Guide
The only thing that could diminish Johnson's production, besides injuries, is the fact that Boise St. has tremendous depth at the running back position and if his coaches choose to, Johnson could see limited touches early on in the season.
3. Knowshown Moreno
From being a complete unknown to a household name.
That's the easiest way to describe Moreno's season, and he did most of the damage in the second half of the year. After only one 100-yard performance in the first six games of the season (15 carries/game), Moreno exploded for five 100-yard games and 11 TDs in the final seven (23 carries/game).
With a five game stretch that saw him run for 157, 188, 196, 101, 124 yards Moreno finished strong.
If Moreno plays like he did for the second-half of the '07 season, expect him to get an invite to NYC.
4. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma
I am still not sold on Oklahoma as the class of the Big 12, but I am sure Murray will take that Conference by storm and keep many defensive coordinators awake at night.
He showed what he could do last year before injuring his knee with two games remaining in the regular season by scoring 13 rushing touchdowns in only 127 carries (1 TD per 9.7 carries) and also returned two kickoff for touchdowns.
With Allen Patrick graduating, Murray will have plenty more touches and, barring any injuries, will definitely eclipse 1,000 yards.
5. Noel Devine, West Virginia
Even in his first year, while splitting carries with Pat White and Steve Slaton, Devine still managed to run for 627 yards and 6 TDs.
His big-play ability is undeniable (8.6 yard per carry) and with more touches this year, Devine will create many more highlights and will more than likely surpass 1,000 yard and even with White cutting into his touchdown count, 10 TDs is a very realistic number.
New Head Coach Bill Stewart will employ a spread option offence just like Rich Rodriguez, so Devine will still have the ability to make plays in space, just the way he likes it.
Rounding out the Top 10:
6. PJ Hill, Wisconsin
7. CJ Spiller, Clemson
8. LeSean McCoy
9. Darrell Scott
10. Joe McKnight
Disagree? Was your favourite running back not on the list? Was player X too high or too low? Well, the comment box is made for you.
Let the discussion begin.
comments (15) write a comment »
write a new comment
4 months ago
I think your going to have a lot of pissed off SEC fans reading this but I see where your coming from putting Ian Johnson over Moreno... I think Scott will be good but he hasn't even taken a snap in college yet so it's to early to be putting him on any top 10 lists. I agree with the list for the most part... I think I'd switch Devine and Murray... I'd put Javon Ringer at 6 and move PJ to 7.. so the only two i'd take off are Mcknight and Scott and put James Davis and Javon Ringer up there... you got Spiller and he has never had a better year than Davis yet.. so I think Davis deserves to be on it just as much.
from 4 months ago
Thanks for the analysis. And pissed off SEC fans are my specialty, so I am looking forward to the arguments.
4 months ago
good list, but i think having scott on there might be a stretch. james davis should be on the list over scott, i think scott will be great though.
from 4 months ago
I put Scott there because he will be a key player in what I am predicting will be a breakout season for the Buffs'.
4 months ago
"...Johnson could see limited touches early on in the season." Then why is he number two on your list, while Moreno, who could "get an invite to NYC," is number 3?
CJ Spiller doesn't start on his own team.
from 4 months ago
Johnson is higher than Moreno because I beleve he will have the best year (admiti it, it's easier to run against WAC defences than SEC ones), and splitting carries is only a possibikity for Johnson.
I also believe Johnson can go to NY depnding on how his team does.
The reason I put CJ Spiller on the list (Instead of Davis) is because he is more of a threat out of the backfield as a pass receiver and is more of a explosive runner. Don't be surprised if Spiller is getting more touches by mid-season than Davis.
4 months ago
I wouldn't be surprised if Spiller is getting more touches by week two; in fact, I agree that he should, but that's the point: He's still splitting carries. And you simply can't give a guy who gets 10 carries a game the distinction of the 7th best running back in the nation.
For me, it's Wells and Moreno at the top; the rest of the nation is a distant third.
4 months ago
1. Beanie - Best RB in the Nation.
2. Ian Johnson - Although I agree he's going to bounce back and be very productive this year, I think losing 1st round draft-pick Ryan Clady will hurt him. He probably deserves to be Top 5 but I'm not sold on #2
3. Knoshown - Probably where I'd put him. Is still the center piece of the offence.
4. DeMarco Murray - Glad to see you have him in your top 5. I'm a big fan and if it were my list he'd be number 2. He has amazing explosion and a knack for getting into the endzone. Every year, people always try to dub the new explosive, dynamic play-maker "The Next Reggie Bush" but Murray is the closest thing. I won't be surprised to see him in the running for the Heisman.
5. Noel Devine - I like this pick though I might take McCoy ahaead. People tend to overlook Devine because he hasn't carried the load but Slaton was great in the offence and Devine looked amazing when given opportunities.
Others
I think LeSean McCoy should definitely be ahead PJ and Spiller. I like how you included Darrell Scott on your list. He should get plenty of opportunities to show what he can do.
4 months ago
Great list... I agree with the order.
4 months ago
Leading returning rusher in the Pac 10- Jake Locker lol
That said I think Jahvid Best will finish the season with great stats, every Tedford RB has gotten 1000 yds so I fully expect him to too.
from 4 months ago
He is a speed demon, saw him last year vs. USC, he will be very good.
4 months ago
How can this list not include James Davis of Clemson? No Davis.......No List!
about 1 month ago
fuck you what the fuck man. Did you forget about the leader in touchdowns, carries, and yards? Javon Ringer is on everyone heismen lists. He is a work force, with great speed, quickness, and balance. Just by not even putting him in the top three is dispicable, but not even the top ten. Your not a true college football fan if you cant agree.
from about 1 month ago
First, nice going on the expletives buddy, really classy (A quick note, if you want to be taken serious, ease up on the f-bomb, this is no sports bar). Second, this list was created before the season began and no, I didn't think Ringer was one of the top 10 RBs in the country and I admit I was wrong, he has put up great numbers, but this is a pre-season list, not a current list, so I don't see where all the hate comes from.
If you really feel that strongly about Ringer's Heisman chances, write an article about it.
about 1 month ago
Shonn Greene at Iowa is running through and around his opponents. Best back in NCAA
write a new comment