College Football 2011: Ranking the Pac-12's Best Rushing Attacks

Which team in the Pac-12 has the best rushing attack (as a team)?

Rushing attacks are measured in yards per game (YPG).

Teams strive for a balanced attack: 50 percent rush, 50 percent pass.

Some teams have one great running back, while some rotate many.

Some teams have to rely on an incoming freshman or two, rather than experienced returners who are lost to graduation or the NFL.

Even adjusting to a new offensive coordinator (and his new system) usually has a negative impact on output (in YPG) for the first year or two.

This article ranks (in reverse order) the top 12 rushing attacks in the Pac-12 for 2011.

No. 12: Washington State Cougars

No. 12: Washington State

Coaching Changes: No change in offensive coordinator this year

Balance: 28 percent rush, 72 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 91 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: James Montgomery: 44 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Logwone Mitz

This Year’s Backups: Carl Winston, Rickey Galvin

Analysis: Last year James Montgomery played 11 games. Chantz Staden only played seven games. Both graduated, so the Cougars will start Logwone Mitz. The junior Mitz had four touchdowns and 263 total yards last year.

Rickey Galvin may be a ray of hope for the Cougars, who haven’t had a 500-yard rusher in four years.

They will have the threat of Jeff Tuel’s passing attack to open up the running game. Last year’s team rushing was anemic, and the offensive balance was very uneven.

No. 11: Oregon State Beavers

No. 11: Oregon State

Coaching Changes: No change in offensive coordinator this year

Balance: 37 percent rush, 63 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 120 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Jacquizz Rodgers: 99 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Ryan McCants

This Year’s Backups: Jovan Stevenson, Malcolm Marable, Terron Ward, Jordan Jenkins

Analysis: Last year Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 14 touchdowns, but he left early for the NFL. The Beavers will look to senior Ryan McCants to replace Jacquizz. McCants had 85 carries and 363 yards last year when spelling Rodgers.

After McCants, there is not much experience at running back, but he has the threat of Ryan Katz’s passing attack to open up his running game.

The uneven offensive balance is indicative of a team with room to improve.

No. 10: Colorado Buffaloes

No. 10: Colorado

Coaching Changes: OC Eric Kiesau was let go. Vikings RB coach Eric Bieniemy is the new OC for the Buffaloes.

Balance: 38 percent rush, 62 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 137 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Rodney Stewart: 110 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Rodney Stewart

This Year’s Backup: Tony Jones

Analysis: If this list were based on individual performance, Rodney Stewart would be among the top two or three best running backs in the Pac-12, but this is team rushing performance. Colorado has very little depth after Stewart.

Stewart had 10 rushing touchdowns last year as a small scatback. Stewart does not have a great quarterback’s passing attack threat to help his running game. Coach Jon Embree will try to fix last year’s uneven offensive balance.

No. 9: Utah Utes

No. 9: Utah

Coaching Changes: Another change in OC*. Former UCLA OC Norm Chow is Utah's new offensive coordinator.

Balance: 39 percent rush, 61 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 153 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Eddie Wide: 55 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: John White, Harvey Langi or Thretton Palamo

This Year’s Backups: John White, Harvey Langi or Thretton Palamo

Analysis: Last year’s running backs Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata graduated, and Utah will name the new starters after fall camp. Utah may also run a rotation of backs.

The Utes have four excellent running backs to choose from in freshman John White, freshman Harvey Langi, Thretton Palamo (a former professional rugby player).

The Utes' offensive balance is lopsided.

*Norm Chow is Utah's fourth offensive coordinator to serve under Whittingham in 6 years. Ludwig, Schramm, Roderick were former OC's (this position has been a revolving door for Utah).

No. 8: Arizona Wildcats

No. 8: Arizona

Coaching Changes: Co-offensive coordinator Seth Littrell takes over play-calling. Littrell shared the duties last year with Bill Bedenbaugh.

Balance: 30 percent rush, 70 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 132 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Keola Antolin: 51 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Keola Antolin

This Year’s Backups: Greg Nwoko, Daniel Jenkins, Ka'deem Carey

Analysis: Keola Antolin played last year along with Nic Grigsby. Grigsby departed and Antolin is the main man this year. He had seven touchdowns last year, however, he was injured much of the year and will be shooting for a 1,000-yard season.

Antolin has quick downhill speed, Nwoko has a torn ACL, Jenkins had a great spring, and Carey is a promising freshman. These running backs have the threat of Nick Foles’s passing attack to open up their running game. Coach Stoops must even up the offensive balance.

No. 7: Arizona State Sun Devils

No. 7: Arizona State

Coaching Changes: No change in offensive coordinator this year

Balance: 33 percent rush, 67 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 139 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Cameron Marshall: 66 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Cameron Marshall

This Year’s Backups: Deantre Lewis, Kyle Middlebrooks

Analysis: Last year Marshall ran for nine touchdowns. He will score more this year and help the Sun Devils rush for more than 139 yards per game to help quarterback Brock Osweiler, who is in his first full year as the ASU signal caller.

Deantre Lewis could challenge for the starting role because he is that good. However, he is still recovering from a gunshot wound suffered earlier this year.

Note last year’s uneven offensive balance.

No. 6: California Bears

No. 6: California

Coaching Changes: Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig is now at San Diego State. Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik is the new offensive coordinator.

Balance: 48 percent rush, 52 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 159 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Shane Vereen: 97 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Isi Sofele

This Year’s Backups: Brendon Bigelow, Daniel Lasco

Analysis: Cal’s primary running back is Isi Sofele, who has played in 25 games as a backup. Sofele was also a return man; however, his focus is now limited to running back.

Brendon Bigelow is a decent talent, but Daniel Lasco will probably be the starter sometime in the future.

Sofele will not have the threat of a great quarterback’s passing attack to help his running game, but Cal’s attack is balanced.

No. 5: Washington Huskies

No. 5: Washington

Coaching Changes: No change in offensive coordinator this year

Balance: 48 percent rush, 52 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 172 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Chris Polk: 109 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Chris Polk

This Year’s Backups: Jesse Callier, Deontae Cooper

Analysis: Washington’s primary running back is Chris Polk. Jesse Callier is a decent talent, but Deontae Cooper has not had the chance to show his stuff yet. He was sidelined by a knee injury last year.

Polk scored nine touchdowns last year, but Washington will be relying on his offense a ton more this season after the departure of Jake Locker. Polk will not have the threat of a great quarterback’s passing attack to help his running game.

No. 4: UCLA Bruins

No. 4: UCLA

Coaching Changes: Offensive coordinator Norm Chow was dismissed. 49ers quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson was hired as the new offensive coordinator.

Balance: 55 percent rush, 45 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 176 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Johnathan Franklin: 94 yards per game

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Johnathan Franklin

This Year’s Backups: Derrick Coleman, Malcolm Jones, Jordan James

Analysis: UCLA’s primary running back is Johnathan Franklin; however, the Bruins do have a stable of great running backs “by committee.”

Franklin scored eight touchdowns last year in his second season. UCLA has one of the Pac-12’s best backfields. Coleman, Jones and James are all great backs in their own right.

These running backs do not have the threat of a great quarterback’s passing attack to help their running game, but the team has good offensive balance. UCLA is almost a top-three team in yards per game.

No. 3: Stanford Cardinal

No. 3: Stanford

Coaching Changes: OC David Shaw promoted to head coach. Receivers coach Pep Hamilton was promoted as the new OC.

Balance: 45 percent rush, 55 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 190 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Stepfan Taylor: 88 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Stepfan Taylor

This Year’s Backups: Anthony Wilkerson, Tyler Gaffney, Jeremy Stewart

Analysis: Stanford’s running back is Stepfan Taylor; however, the Cardinals have a stable of great running backs “by committee.” Taylor scored 15 touchdowns last year in his first season.

Stanford has one of the Pac-12’s best backfields. Taylor is all-purpose, Wilkerson is its flash, Gaffney is a bruiser and Stewart is the most experienced.

These running backs always have the threat of Andrew Luck’s passing attack to open up their running game, and the team is well balanced offensively. Only USC and Oregon run for more YPG.

No. 2: USC Trojans

No. 2: USC

Coaching Changes: No change in offensive coordinator this year

Balance: 44 percent rush, 56 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 214 YPG

2010 Leading Tailback: Allen Bradford: 72 YPG & Marc Tyler: 70 YPG

This Year’s Leading Tailback: Marc Tyler

This Year’s Backups: Curtis McNeal, D.J. Morgan, Dillon Baxter, Amir Carlisle, J.R. Tavai

Analysis: The Trojans have the deepest top talent in the Pac-12. This applies to the backfield too. Although Tyler was the starter last season, Baxter played significant time in the offense. McNeal and Morgan should show their spectacular talents this year, and the Trojans will be hard pressed to get Carlisle and Tavai on the field.

Morgan will take over Bradford’s big back ability. McNeal is a scatback, and Baxter can run the Wildcat. These running backs always have the threat of Matt Barkley’s passing attack to open up their running game. The Trojans run a balanced attack with that talent.

No. 1: Oregon Ducks

No. 1: Oregon

Coaching Changes: No change in offensive coordinator this year

Balance: 54 percent rush, 46 percent pass

2010 Team Rushing: 286 YPG (leads Pac-12)

2010 Leading Tailback: LaMichael James: 144 YPG (Pac-12 individual leader)

This Year’s Leading Tailback: LaMichael James

This Year’s Backups: Kenjon Barner, Lache Seastrunk, D'Anthony Thomas

Analysis: LaMichael James is the best tailback in the Pac-12. James scored 21 touchdowns last year after missing the first game. He could possibly gain 2,000 yards in 2011 (the first running back to do so since 2008).

James always has the threat of Darron Thomas’ spread option run to open his own running game. James will challenge Stanford’s Andrew Luck for the Heisman this year. Oregon has among the Pac-12’s best depth in the backfield and good offensive balance.