Shut 'Em Down: 10 RBs West Virginia Football Must Contain in 2010

Brian Kelly may have tinkered with the formula for success in the Big East over the last few seasons, but traditionally the conference is one that is built on the foundation of running the football.

If you look back over the last decade, you'll see West Virgina was most successful when they were able to control things on the ground with backs like Steve Slaton and Noel Devine while also keeping opposing rushers in check.

With a strong defensive front led by lineman Chris Neild, Scooter Berry, Julian Miller, and linebacker J.T. Thomas, the Mountaineers look like they have what it takes to stop some of the talented backs they'll have to face in 2010.

Here's a look at ten running backs the Mountaineers must contain this year if they want the 2010 season to be a success.

10. Martin Ward, Marshall

Martin Ward, a 5'9 sophomore, takes over for the departing Darius Marshall, who decided to leave school and test the NFL waters a year early.

The 200 pounder shares a lot of the same physical characteristics as former Herd Great and current New York Giant, Ahmad Bradshaw.

In spot duty, Ward showed that he's more than capable of handling the load and really came on towards the end of the season with strong performances against SMU (136 rushing yards, one TD) and in Marshall's victory over Ohio in the Little Ceasars Bowl (72 yards, two TDs).

Ward was considered one of the top recruits coming out of the state of Georgia back in 2008, and chose Marshall after receiving scholarship offers from the likes of Louisville, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Purdue.

Another Marshall RB to watch out for is Andre Booker, who has reported 4.3 speed and has been described by Marshall Running Backs coach JuJuan Seider as "in the mold of Noel Devine."

9. Moise Plancher, South Florida

Senior Moise Plancher became the definitive main man in South Florida's backfield for the 2010 season after Mike Ford was dismissed from the team this past spring.

Plancher, a sixth-year player, has been around the block and should be one of new coach Skip Holtz's most valued leaders this year.

Holtz has already stated that one of his top priorities is to establish the running game in 2010 and the 5'9'' Plancher will be an important piece to the puzzle.

Plancher has just under 200 carries over the last two season yet he has still managed to total over 900 yards and 11 scores.

His 86 yard performance against the Mountaineers last season was one of the key reasons the Bulls were able to pull off the win.

8. Da'Rel Scott, Maryland

Da"rel Scott broke onto the ACC scene back in 2008 when he rushed for over 1,100 yards and helped carry the Terrapins to a 8-5 season.

It looked like the 5'11'' senior was poised to become one of the top difference makers in the conference for the 2009 season, but a wrist injury limited him to only seven games.

Still, Scott was able to lead the team in rushing with over 400 yards regardless of a lack of carries.

Maryland had one of the least productive offenses in the country last season, but with Da'Rel at full health, they will likely improve in 2010.

7. Delone Carter, Syracuse

Delone Carter has seen some ups and downs in his career, but the 5'10'', 215 pound senior seemed to finally put it all behind him in 2009.

Carter rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 12 TDs for a struggling Orange Team last year.

His career hit a snag once again when Carter was found guilty of an assault after a snowball incident earlier this year.

He has been suspended from the team and his future still remains up in the air.

Carter, like the rest of the 'Cuse offense, was held in check by West Virginia's defense in last year's meeting.

Still, if he's lining up in the backfield for the Orange this year, he's the type of player that needs to be accounted for.

6. Victor Anderson, Louisville

There aren't many bright spots for new Louisville head coach Charlie Strong to get excited about this year, but one player that should help ease the coach's transition is 5'10'' junior Victor Anderson.

After earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors in 2008, many were expecting big things for Anderson last season and where hoping he could build on his 1,000 yard season.

After a reasonably strong start, Anderson lost out on the opportunity to make his mark against Big East opponents because of an injury that sidelined him for most of conference play.

Now that he's back to full health, the one time West Virginia commit looks to team with Bilal Powell to give the Cardinals a pretty strong rushing threat.

Behind a veteran offensive line, the duo could present some problems for opponents this season.

5. Joe Martinek, Rutgers

When Joe Martinek signed on with Rutgers after setting the all-time New Jersey high school rushing record, many were wondering if he could handle playing at the top of level college football.

It's true Martinek isn't the fastest back you'll ever lay your eyes on nor is he the shiftiest. But, Martinek has found his niche as a solid workmanlike runner for the Knights.

He carried the rock over two hundred times in 2009 and came close to breaking the 1,000 yard mark.

Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano has shown he's not afraid to play smash mouth football, and with sophomore QB Tom Savage still getting his feet under him, expect Martinek to keep getting plenty of touches.

West Virginia kept the junior largely in check in last season's tilt.

The 6 foot 215 pounder was only able to average a measly 3.5 yards on 14 carries.

4. Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

It's no secret that former Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly preferred to do his damage through the air (472 attempts) instead of on the ground (361 attempts) last season. But his philosophy had nothing to do with a lack of talent at the running back position.

Bearcat runner Isaiah Pead came out of Eastmoor Academy in Ohio as one of the top running back prospects in central America, holding offers from Big East powers like Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

As a freshman, the 5'11'' back showed some good signs in a limited role, but it wasn't until 2009 when Kelly really brought him into the fold.

Pead may have only touched the ball 121 times, but when he did a get chance, he certainly made the most of it.

No. 23 ran for over 800 yards (6.7 average) and nine TDs and also proved to be a valuable weapon in the passing game as he caught 20 balls for over 200 yards and two scores.

His biggest performance of the season came against the Mountaineers when he ran for a whopping 175 yards and added an important second quarter TD in Cincinnati's 24-21 victory.

3. Richard Murphy, LSU

Richard Murphy looked like he was in line for a breakout season in 2009 teaming up with senior backs Charles Scott and Kieland Williams.

It was not to be though as Murphy suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game of the season against Vanderbilt.

If Murphy can get his knee back to full health, he'll pose an explosive threat that the Mountaineers will have to keep in check when they head down to Baton Rouge at the end of September.

225 pound Junior Steven Ridley is also another weapon the Tigers have in their arsenal.

2. Jordan Todman, UConn

Connecticut Head Coach Randy Edsall has shown his love for keeping it on the ground, which is evidenced by the Huskies leading the conference in rushing attempts over the last two seasons.

He'll likely stick to that philosophy knowing that he has the dangerous Jordan Todman lining up in the backfield in 2010.

The 5'9'' back is the perfect fit or UConn's offense. He has the power to run it inside the tackles or use his speed to bounce it out.

Todman has the backfield all to himself this season after splitting carries with Andre Dixon last year.

Even though he shared duties in 2009, the junior was still able to put together a 1,000 yard season and found the end zone 14 times.

Todman had a few nice runs against WVU last year, including a five-yard TD score.

1. Dion Lewis, Pitt

Dion Lewis seemingly came out of nowhere last season racking up nearly 1,800 yards on the ground to finish as the nation's third leading rusher in just his first year.

No other freshman came close to making the impact that Lewis did, and the 5'8'' back nearly carried the Panthers to a Big East championship and a BCS berth.

Lewis rushed for over 150 yards in last year's Backyard Brawl but failed to find the end zone in the Panthers loss.

For 2010, Lewis teams up with fellow talented sophomore Ray Graham to form one of the best rushing duos in not only the Big East, but in the entire country.