Big 12 Power Rankings: Rating the Top Running Backs for 2010

The Big 12 hasn't exactly been a run-happy conference the past few years. In fact, in South Central and Mid-West America, it is the quarterback who tends to reign supreme.

This year, though, middle-America's favorite conference finds itself without the most prominent names whom, in recent seasons, stole the spotlight. Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Todd Reesing, and even (for different, yet obvious reasons) Mike Leach are all gone.

That means it's time for the workhorses and scat-backs to start getting a little more love.

2010 looks to be a breakout season for the running backs of the Big 12, and here are the best of every team, ranked in reverse order.

No. 12: Jay Finley, Baylor

The Baylor Bears aren't the most successful team as far as a solid ground game is concerned.

Especially without their quarterback, Robert Griffin III, as they were for much of last season.

However, Baylor returns over half of its offensive line as well as last season's rushing production in Jay Finley (senior) and Jarred Salubi (sophomore). If Griffin can stay healthy, these Bears will look a little more fierce on the ground in 2010.

No. 11: Tre' Newton, Texas

Texas' offense isn't one that caters to gobs of gaudy running back stats, but the Longhorns aren't, by any means, short in the backfield.

Tre' Newton and Cody Johnson are young, productive, and will likely be given Mack Brown's vote of confidence in the early season. Without Colt McCoy, the opportunities on the ground could be more plentiful in 2010 as well.

This being said, the Longhorns do not have one dominant starter who garners a spot much higher on this list. Don't take that as a detriment to the quality here, though.

No. 10: Rodney Stewart, Colorado

Here's a guy to keep tabs on.

Rodney Stewart took good strides last season from his freshman year, and the three games the Buffalo won in 2009 happened to be the three games in which this little back compiled both 100 yards and two touchdowns.

If quarterback struggles are prominent again in 2010, Rodney Stewart needs to stretch his production out more consistently. A more experienced offensive line could make it possible.

No. 9: Derrick Washington, Missouri

In a 2009 season where I thought Derrick Washington was poised for a breakout, he regressed a little.

This season, I'll avoid the breakout prediction, but I will say that with, like so many other Big 12 teams, an experienced offensive line and some weapons lost around him, he should return to sophomore-season form.

I would be surprised if he didn't pick up some slack in the receiving department due to the losses of Jared Perry and Danario Alexander, too.

Washington is still a quality back, but I've lost at least little confidence in him.

No. 8: Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

I doubt Kendall Hunter will be returning to much of his former statistical glory, unfortunately. I just don't see enough talent in front of or around him.

One thing this senior will have going for is that he'll definitely get his fair share of the workload in 2010. On the other hand, at 5'8" and 190 pounds, this is not the kind of Cowboy who will wear defenses down or thrive on excessive carries.

Don't worry though, Hunter. I've been wrong countless upon infinite times before, and I hope this is one of those times. Otherwise, Dexter Pratt, Joseph Randle, and Jeremy Smith will all benefit from your experience.

No. 7: Toben Opurum, Kansas

This bruiser of a freshman back basically outproduced 'starter' Jake Sharp's injury-riddled 2009 season in the first five games of his collegiate career.

Turner Gill's more-conservative offensive system, an experienced offensive line, added bulk, and the breaking-in of a new quarterback will all benefit this man-child.

Opurum has the potential to work his way up to the top of this list in 2010.

No. 6: DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a great core of talented young backs. More importantly, the Sooners also have a rather accomplished veteran to carry the load.

I've never been a big fan of DeMarco Murray, but one has to admit that he is one of the conference's most dangerous backs when healthy.

This season without Chris Brown to split time with, Murray has a chance to prove it. Whether it's throwing him passes or handing it off, Murray is a guy Landry Jones needs to get the ball to early and often.

No. 5: Baron Batch, Texas Tech

I enjoy watching Batch as much as nearly anyone in this conference. He has the size of an every-down running back, catches everything thrown his way, and finds the end zone as well as anyone.

For whatever reason, I really like the idea of Baron Batch in a similar spread offense but under the guidance of Tommy Tuberville. If Tuberville made Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams, he can make Batch into one of the Big 12's best all-around backs.

On the other hand, there's no way to know how Batch will respond to any tweaks to the Leach-spread offense, and he is certainly not Ronnie Brown or Cadillac Williams.

This year has the potential to be really big or really average for the senior Red Raider, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

No. 4: Christine Michael, Texas A&M

Christine Michael is one of my favorite young backs around. The offense seems well suited to the sophomore, he has a good backup behind him, a decent line in front of him, and a quarterback that doesn't let defenses get to comfortable in the box.

This Aggie has had some bad games, but he has the sturdy mentality necessary to rebound from a little early-career inconsistency as well, from what I can see.

If Michael takes strides forward and helps make Texas A&M successful again in 2010, he should get plenty of attention going into 2011.

No. 3: Alexander Robinson, Iowa State

Alexander Robinson is not the most talented guy around, but has stepped his production up each year of his college career.

Thanks to a mostly-intact offensive line, higher expectations for the passing game, and fleet-of-foot quarterback Austen Arnaud sharing the backfield, I see no reason why this Cyclone won't take another step forward in 2010.

I do worry about durability when a small-ish guy takes so many carries. However, Iowa State has a nice complement of talented young guys in Jeremiah Schwartz (sophomore), James White (freshman), and Shontrelle Johnson (2010 commit) to spell him this season and replace him in the next.

No. 2: Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska

As far as talented depth charts go, no one comes close to what Nebraska has lined up at running back.

Rex Burkhead is probably the most talented number two back in the Big 12, and classmate Dontrayevous Robinson isn't far behind as the third-stringer.

Did I mention 2010 commit Braylon Heard is more than ready to contribute as a true freshman? (Even though I have a hard time seeing that the Cornhuskers will need him to.)

And don't forget the top dog, Roy Helu Jr. I think defenses will have to stay more honest with the Big Red air attack this season, and playing behind yet another top-notch NE offensive line won't hurt Helu either.

Helu should put up the biggest numbers in the conference in 2010.

No. 1: Daniel Thomas, Kansas State

The losses of Keithen Valentine, Grant Gregory, and Brandon Banks will, overall, have a pretty negative effect on Kansas State's ground game.

On the other hand, it will make heart-and-soul-of-this-offense Daniel Thomas even more valuable to his team, if at all possible. He will be running behind an experienced Wildcat line too.

Defenses will key on him, so he must have an even better 2010 if Kansas State is to improve upon its '09 success. I'm one of many who think he'll pull through.

Remember, Thomas was a Junior College quarterback too. Wouldn't it be great if Thomas and Bill Snyder truly perfected the 'Wildcat' package? Just a fun thought, of course, but something will have to keep defenses honest.