2010 College Football's Top 10 Most Overrated Running Backs

Whether it be due to a great offensive line, a great system, or playing in a not-so-great conference, a lot of guys scrape up big statistics and garner a lot of attention that they may not deserve.

Now, everyone's idea of what being overrated means is different, but I decided to take a stab at my idea of next season's most overrated running backs.

I would be glad to hear any constructive opinions or thoughts that could change my mind, or bring to mind anyone I've missed, please.

So, without further ado, here 10 guys who, in 2010, will get a lot of hype but may not produce a lot of numbers...

Honorable (not dishonorable) Mention: Mark Ingram

I was a vast supporter of Mark Ingram winning the Heisman Trophy in 2009. The Alabama stud is not what I would call overrated and didn't deserve to be put on this list.

However, absolutely every defense he faces will key on him, the Crimson Tide passing game should only get better, and sophomore Trent Richardson will take some responsibilities and carries away from Ingram in 2010.

Ingram earns the honorable mention because the hype surrounding a returning junior Heisman Trophy winner will be immense, but his stats will fall short of last season's.

No. 10: Jordan Todman, Uconn (5' 9", 190 pounds)

I feel bad for putting Todman here. He ran for 1,188 yards and 14 touchdowns on 235 attempts (at 5.1 a carry) while splitting time with Andre Dixon in 2009.

However, I hear a lot of talk about how 2010 will be yet another breakout season for Todman due to Dixon's graduation. I disagree.

Unless the passing game gets better, I think junior Robbie Frey will see a large portion of Dixon's carries while defenses key in on Todman. I'm also concerned at the prospect of giving such a small back such a large portion of carries.

Still, I'll give the kid props. He could finish his career in an impressive fashion considering the two stars he was awarded as a recruit by both Scout and Rivals.com

No. 9: Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska (6' 0", 215 pounds)

Roy Helu Jr. has good talent and size for a guy as fast as he is, and he plays behind a dominant offensive line in a run-happy offense.

In fact, the reason he's on this list is because I wonder how much credit he deserves as opposed to the guys blocking for him and drawing up his game plan. This is a guy that generally runs into a minor injury or two midseason, as well.

Helu is still a very good running back, but don't expect improved numbers, save for maybe on his 5.2 yards per carry average, during the 2010 season due to the emergence of Rex Burkhead and improvement in the Cornhusker passing game.

No. 8: Shawnbrey McNeal, Southern Methodist (5' 10", 190 pounds)

I find the '1,000 yards in a spread offense' achievement less impressive than others.

Most spread offenses use multiple running backs, and McNeal gained his 1,188 yards after moving from the ACC to a more conservative conference and while playing with one of college football's most dangerous receivers. With everything set up and spread out so nicely for him, I guess I expect more than 5.0 yards per carry.

Baron Batch, in a tougher conference and without one superstar receiver, gained 884 yards on 168 attempts for an average of 5.3 yards per carry and 14 touchdowns (compared to McNeal's 12), along with catching 51 passes (compared to McNeal's 31) in 2009 for Texas Tech in a much pass-happier spread, but who garners more attention?

Still, expect McNeal to have another big season in 2010 behind four returning offensive linemen and a year of experience under his belt.

No. 7: Alexander Robinson, Iowa State (5' 9", 187 pounds)

It's hard for me to put Robinson on this list. He's a small, tough kid in a tough conference who plays in a bad offense through nagging injuries and cedes some of his potential rushing statistics to a sporadic quarterback.

On the other hand, those injuries and inconsistencies are why he makes this list. Robinson gained 1,195 yards in a run-based offense with a quarterback athletic enough to distract some defensive attention in the weaker half of the Big 12.

Most importantly, even if his quarterback did sneak into the end zone eight times, the best running backs should still get there more than six, no matter how small.

No. 6: Brynn Harvey, Central Florida (6' 1", 202 pounds)

Brynn Harvey is a decent back overall. However, the Central Florida centerpiece will gain more defensive attention in 2010 playing in an offense that doesn't seem to be getting any better.

In 2009, Harvey accounted for 1,109 yards and 14 touchdowns on 261 carries, which equates into just 4.2 yards per carry in a conference (C-USA) that isn't exactly packed with studly defenses.

Harvey loses two offensive linemen and a decent quarterback-receiver combo in Brett Hodges and Rocky Ross. This, combined with a breakout 2009 season should have defenses bearing down on the young Knight.

Image Courtesy: Rivals.com

No. 5: Evan Royster, Penn State (6' 1", 209 pounds)

I really only have one complaint about Royster, but it's a big one. I want to see him score more.

I know Darryl Clark throws a lot and manages to find the end zone a few times himself, but the Nittany Lions don't exactly have dangerous red zone receiving threats, either.

A top-talent back who rushes as often as Royster does (205 in 2009) for as many yards as Royster does (1,169 in 2009) should find the end zone at least double-digit times (six in 2009) in order to merit the love that Royster does.

In 2010, without Clark and three offensive linemen, we'll see how good Royster really is.

No. 4: Seth Smith, New Mexico State (5' 8", 198 pounds)

I think it's unfair to call a guy overrated just because he takes advantage of a good offensive line. On the other hand, I want people be wary of the red flags around Seth Smith's continued production in 2010.

It's hard to find accurate depth charts online anymore, but from what I can see, Smith will be running behind four new offensive linemen in 2010 in the WAC that seems to be more talented every year.

The biggest worry I have is the talent around him. Fellow running backs Marquell Colston and Tonny Glynn graduated, and the Aggie passing game isn't scary at all.

More carries (246 in 2009) seem probable, but I think Smith's dismal 4.1 yards per carry will take an even bigger hit in 2010.

No. 3: The Nevada Wolfpack

This is the one pick I have no real explanation for. In fact, if anyone has an explanation or a good defense of these players, please speak up because I hate to bash where bashing is not deserved.

In 2009, Vai Taua, Luke Lippincott and quarterback Colin Kaepernick rushed for 1345, 1034 and 1183 yards respectively for 35 total touchdowns and an average of 7.6 yards per carry. Colin Kaepernick got sacked 13 times, too.

Only three members of the Wolf Pack with a credited carry (out of 12 total) had an average of less than seven yards per carry. One of those men was punter Brad Langley with one run for zero yards.

This truly is the best running system in America. Perhaps Taua, Lampford Mark (the second best returning back) and Kaepernick really are that talented, but I remain suspicious that an ingenious coaching mind is truly to thank.

No. 2: Donald Buckram, UTEP (5' 10", 195 pounds)

Donald Buckram is a Miner who, in 2009, had three spectacular games where he accounted for a total of 737 yards and eight touchdowns on 99 carries for an average of about 7.4 yards per carry against Houston, Tulane and Southern Methodist.

On the other hand, Buckram also accounted for 160 yards and one touchdown on 44 carries for an average of around 3.6 yards per carry over four really bad games against Kansas, Memphis, Marshall and Texas. Not overly impressive, huh.

Don't forget, Buckram compiled all his statistics in an established, experienced offense with three years of college experience under his belt already.

In 2010, the fifth-year senior should garner plenty of attention throughout Conference USA and the nation, but the loss of his quarterback, top two receivers and top two linemen combined with the notion of a sub-200 pound back getting even more carries scares me a lot.

We could potentially see Buckram reach his 1,594 yards and 18 touchdowns again in 2010, but I doubt we'll see it at a rate of 6.2 yards per carry. I suppose I should give him a little credit for his value as a receiver, though.

No. 1: Montel Harris, Boston College (5' 10", 192 pounds)

In 2009, Montel Harris grabbed 1,457 yards and 14 touchdowns. That's a decent stat sheet, right?

Well it took him 308 carries, and of the top 10 yardage rushers in college football last season, his 4.7 yards per carry is by far the lowest. The second worst belongs to the massive John Clay of Wisconsin, still at 5.3.

Don't forget, this is yet another sub-200-pound guy. More importantly, this miniscule back has rushed 487 times in two seasons.

In 2010, though, the Boston College passing attack should get a little more reliable, and Harris returns three offensive linemen to work behind. Perhaps those yards per carry will take a jump next season.

Don't be surprised if Harris wears down and/or cedes carries to fellow junior Josh Haden in 2010.