College Football 2011 Rankings: Top 5 Running Backs of the Big Ten

With the college football season getting closer, I thought I would rank my top five running backs in the Big Ten for 2011.

There are plenty of changes at the running back position this year in the Big Ten.

Mikel Leshoure from Illinois went pro, Evan Royster from Penn State graduated and of course Ohio State running back Dan Herron is suspended the first five games of the season from the memorabilia scandal.

Here are the top five running backs of the Big Ten.

5. James White

White, the junior from Wisconsin, will have to fill the extra large shoes of John Clay.

With Scott Tolzien gone, Wisconsin will turn to the running game to compensate for a stable passing game.

White is a shifty back, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in his sophomore season.

4. Edwin Baker

Baker and Leveon Bell are the powerful running attack for the Spartans.

As a complement to Bell, Baker will excel in Dantonio's system.

A bruising runner, Baker should have a big 2011.

3. Silas Redd

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Silas Redd #25 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Say what you want about Penn State, but they do produce running backs as well as they do linebackers.

The true sophomore, Redd had a solid 2010 season as a freshman.

Redd has the size and speed to become a dominant runner.

2. LeVeon Bell

The other half of the Spartans' tandem running attack will be a force to be reckoned with. 

It will be interesting to see if he can handle a full, 12 game schedule after playing sparingly in 2010. 

Sharing carries with Baker will benefit Bell in the long run. 

1. Montee Ball

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Running back Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes with the ball against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 97th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

When you think Wisconsin running backs, you think Ron Dayne type guys.

John Clay was one of those kind of players and Ball can be too.

With Clay gone, Ball will share carries with James White. 

Ball should be the leading rusher in this Badgers offense.