College Football: The 10 Most Valuable Running Backs of 2011

College football has become a pass-happy game over the past 15 years.  With the spread offense getting implemented at almost every offense in the country, many teams' running games have squandered. 

Teams like Oregon and Florida run the spread offense, but still utilize the run game as a fundamental part of their offense. 

These 10 running backs are vital parts of their offenses, and without their immense contributions, none of these teams would be the same. 

10. Zach Line, SMU

Zach Line is probably an unknown to almost anyyone who is reading this article, but yet he ran for 1,494 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry. 

SMU hasn’t had this much power at running back since the early 1980’s, with their dual threat backfield of Craig James and Eric Dickerson. 

He is going into his junior year and should be something really special.  He is not very easy to take down, seeing as he is 235 pounds.

9. Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Entering his junior year, Stepfan Taylor has none of the defense’s eyes on him.   Andrew Luck is considered one of the best players in the nation and will attract all of the attention in 2011. 

The problem with Andrew Luck is that he lost some of his best receivers, and Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL.  Stepfan Taylor needs to average 100 yards a game to help the Cardinal reach their goal of winning the national championship. 

He scored 15 touchdowns last year, and with that type of production again, he will definitely open up some passing lanes for Andrew Luck

8. Rodney Stewart, Colorado

He had his best season last year, rushing for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.  He was 17^th in the nation in rushing yards and is vital for the Buffaloes to have a good season in the PAC-12. 

Colorado is going to have a tough time adjusting to the PAC-12, and if Rodney Stewart isn’t at his best, the Buffaloes are in big trouble. 

7. Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State

Ronnie Hillman has future Heisman Trophy winner written all over him.  

As a freshman last year, he rushed for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns.  That is incredible for a freshman, but to also average 5.8 yards per carry, it is unbelievable. 

San Diego State is coming off a very good season finishing at 9-4, and is only looking to improve that on the shoulders of Ronnie Hillman. 

He was not highly recruited out of high school, but he has proven his worth in his first season in college football.

6. Lance Dunbar, North Texas

He has over 3,000 yards in his career. The past two seasons, he has averaged 15 touchdowns and over six yards per carry. 

I think it is sad that such a standout running back is unknown in college football.  He has three games over 200 yards last season as well. 

He needs to work on being more consistent and having 100 yard games every time he plays, but if he improves that, I think he could come close to breaking the 2000-yard mark.

5. Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky

Bobby Rainey ran for the fifth most yards in the 2010 season, yet his team only won two games.  He rushed for a nation high 340 rushes, but also managed to score 15 touchdowns.

He is not a big running back at only 5’7 inches tall, but at 196 pounds, he can bring the hammer if he drops his pad level. 

He clearly pulled his weight last season and the rest of the team did nothing. If the Hilltoppers want to have a better season, look to someone else other than Bobby Rainey. 

4. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

As a true freshman, Marcus Lattimore had one of the best seasons a true freshman could ever have.  He rushed for 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns. 

Next year, Alshon Jeffery and Stephen Garcia are both coming back, keeping the pressure off of Marcus Lattimore.  He runs downhill on every run, making him very difficult to bring down on initial contact. 

I think that he has an outside shot at making the Heisman trophy ceremony in New York this December.

3. LaMichael James, Oregon

Everyone knows he was the best running back in the nation last year, and it was obvious because he ran for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

He led the Ducks to the national championship and finished third in the Heisman Trophy race.  As good as he is, he is not as important to the Ducks as the two people in front of him. 

If for some terrible reason he was injured, Kenjon Barner, Lache Seastrunk, and DeAnthony Thomas would be able to fill his spot.  He is very important to the Ducks, but isn’t the most important running back to his team’s success.

2. Chris Polk, Washington

With the loss of Jake Locker, Chris Polk has even more pressure to carry the weight for his team.  He ran for over 1,400 yards last year, and yet the Huskies still didn’t have a strong year. 

He is lightning quick with toughness that is hard to rival, but with a first year quarterback and a young offensive line, Chris Polk is going to have to run for 2,000 if he wants his team to be in contention. 

It is a shame that such a good running back has no support around him.    

1. Michael Dyer, Auburn

It is obvious that without Michael Dyer’s 143 yards against the Oregon Ducks in last year’s national championship, the Tigers would not have won. 

He is a special talent that is going to be an amazing running back by the time he goes to the NFL.  As a true freshman, he ran for almost 1,100 yards and next season, he is going to have to run for a lot more. 

Last year, Cam Newton ran for over 1,400 yards and won the Heisman Trophy—he is now gone. 

All of the slack will now have to be picked up by Michael Dyer.  If the Tigers want a chance to return to the SEC championship, let alone the national championship, he will have to have an unbelievable year.