College Football Power Rankings: Top 25 Running Backs Heading into Week 10

The weekly running back rankings are quickly turning into The LaMichael James Show.

Considering he's only played in seven games, that he leads all running backs in rushing yards and touchdowns is even more impressive. 

In Oregon's 72-0 win over New Mexico in the season opener, a game James was suspended for, his backup Kenjon Barner had 207 total yards and five touchdowns—a feat you have to assume James could have matched. 

He exploded for another outstanding performance against USC in Week 9, but he wasn't the only back to go off for a big day. 

Here are the power rankings for the top 25 running backs heading into Week 10. 

25. Roy Helu, Jr., Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 cheers the Husker faithful after their game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska Defeated Missouri 31-17. (Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Im

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 807 / AVG: 7.9 / TD: 8 / Receiving Yards: 24 / AVG: 8.0 / TD: 0

Helu Jr. had arguably the best game any running back has had all year in Nebraska's win of Missouri. He simply was the offense, with 28 carries for a staggering 307 yards and three touchdowns. He'd be higher on the list if those numbers didn't nearly match his production in the seven games before this one. 

24. Dan Herron, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Dan Herron #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 634 / AVG: 4.9 / TD: 12 / Receiving Yards: 137 / AVG: 12.5 / TD: 0

Herron had the first 100-yard rushing game of his career in Ohio State's dominating win over Minnesota. He had only 17 carries in the contest, but ripped the Golden Gophers for 114 yards and a touchdown, bringing his streak to eight straight games with at least one score. 

23. Bobby Rainey, Western Kentucky

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 938 / AVG: 4.7 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 155 / AVG: 8.6 / TD: 0

Rainey rebounded well from his poor performance against Louisiana-Lafayette with a solid all-around game against North Texas. Rainey rushed 23 times for 100 yards and added five catches for 57 yards, but failed to find the end zone for the second consecutive game. 

22. Mikel LeShoure, Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 780 / AVG: 4.9 / TD: 6 / Receiving Yards: 102 / AVG: 9.3 / TD: 1

LeShoure has been struggling to put up numbers the last three weeks, but part of that can be chalked up to a lack of touches. There's really no explanation for his 15-carry, 23-yard performance against Purdue, though. He saved his day with three total touchdowns and 46 yards receiving. 

21. Derrick Locke, Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Derrick Locke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 574 / AVG: 5.3 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 225 / AVG: 9.4 / TD: 0

Locke hasn't played since sustaining a shoulder injury against Auburn on October 9. Considering the type of year he was having, it's really a shame, too. He's missed Kentucky's last three games and while he's been cleared to play, Locke has yet to return to practice.

20. Jordan Todman, Connecticut

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 21: Jordan Todman #23 of the Univeristy of Connecticut Huskies runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on November 21, 2009 in South Bend, Indiana. Connecticut defeated Notre Dame 33-30 in o

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 954 / AVG: 5.5 / TD: 9 / Receiving Yards: 90 / AVG: 6.4 / TD: 0

After being held under 100 yards rushing for the first time this season in UConn's loss to Louisville, Todman came back strong against West Virginia in a huge overtime win for the Huskies. He had a whopping 33 carries for 113 yards and a score, adding another 28 yards receiving. 

19. Bilal Powell, Louisville

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LOUISVILLE, KY - SEPTEMBER 04: Bilal Powell #15 of the Louisville Cardinals throws a pass during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 1,067 / AVG: 7.0 / TD: 12 / Receiving Yards: 118 / AVG: 9.8 / TD: 1

Powell had his worst game of the season in Louisville's loss to Pitt on Saturday, but to be fair he was limited to 11 carries and the Cardinals abandoned the run early in this one. He was only able to muster 64 yards rushing after averaging nearly triple that in his previous four games. 

18. Michael Dyer, Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 25: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 723 / AVG: 6.0 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 9 / AVG: 9.0 / TD: 0

Dyer has proven throughout the year that if you give him double-digit carries, he'll produce. In his five games with 10 or more carries, Dyer is averaging 108.8 rushing. Of course a 21-carry, 180-yard performance against Mississippi helps pad those numbers a bit. 

17. Edwin Baker, Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Edwin Baker #4 of the Michigan State Spartans runs against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 800 / AVG: 6.5 / TD: 7 / Receiving Yards: 15 / AVG: 7.5 / TD: 0

Baker was pretty much a non-factor in Michigan State's loss to Iowa on Saturday. Considering how much the offense struggled as a whole, that shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Baker was held to nine carries for 21 yards, the second time in three games he's failed to surpass 25 yards rushing. 

16. Montel Harris, Boston College

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 17: Montel Harris #2 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack on October 17, 2009 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.The Eagl

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 836 / AVG: 4.5 / TD: 3 / Receiving Yards: 107 / AVG: 6.3 / TD: 1

Harris continued his hot streak on Saturday with another solid game, this time against Clemson. In his last three games, Harris has 495 total yards and three touchdowns. After hitting a rough patch earlier in the year, it's safe to say he's back. 

15. Andre Ellington, Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Andre Ellington #23 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 684 / AVG: 5.9 / TD: 10 / Receiving Yards: 109 / AVG: 9.1 / TD: 1

After a monster game against Georgia Tech a couple weeks ago, Ellington disappeared in Clemson's loss to Boston College. He was limited to 42 yards off 14 carries and failed to score for just the second time this season. He hasn't been impressive in three of his last four games. 

14. Adam Robinson, Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30: Running back Adam Robinson #32 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes dives into the end zone past Michigan State Spartan defenders for a touch down as quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 watches on during the first half of play at Kinnic

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 806 / AVG: 4.7 / TD: 10 / Receiving Yards: 254 / AVG: 15.9 / TD: 1

Robinson had to fight for his yards against Michigan State's run defense, averaging under four yards a carry for the third time this season. He carried the ball 20 times for 69 yards and a score, tacking on a 32-yard receiving touchdown as well. 

13. Ed Wesley, TCU

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LAS VEGAS - OCTOBER 30: Ed Wesley #34 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs runs for yardage against the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium October 30, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. TCU won 48-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 938 / AVG: 6.8 / TD: 10 / Receiving Yards: 14 / AVG: 2.8 / TD: 0

Wesley wasn't needed for much in TCU's 48-6 win over UNLV, touching the ball only 14 total times. He made the most of his opportunities though, with 72 total yards and a touchdown. He should see a lot more action against Utah this weekend. 

12. Shane Vereen, California

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BERKELEY, CA - OCTOBER 09: Shane Vereen #34 of the California Golden Bears runs against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at California Memorial Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 774 / AVG: 5.5 / TD: 10 / Receiving Yards: 172 / AVG: 10.8 / TD: 3

Vereen has seen a dip in production lately, and it hit a low point against Oregon State in Cal's 35-7 loss. Vereen had only 12 carries for 53 yards and failed to score a touchdown for the second time this season. He's now been held under 100 yards rushing in three straight games. 

11. Noel Devine, West Virginia

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 02: Running back Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers runs for a 65-yard touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second half at the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium January 2, 2008 in Glendal

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 693 / AVG: 4.8 / TD: 4 / Receiving Yards: 132 / AVG: 5.5 / TD: 1

Devine was relatively ineffective in West Virginia's overtime loss to UConn on Saturday, as he was limited to 16 carries for 67 yards and failed to find the end zone. He's only scored in three games this year, and it's becoming a noticeable issue. 

10. DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners in action against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Ima

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 752 / AVG: 4.3 / TD: 12 / Receiving Yards: 291 / AVG: 7.3 / TD: 3

Murray wasn't spectacular in Oklahoma's win over Colorado, with only 11 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown, but he did add 10 catches for 73 yards to boost his stat line. With a tough stretch to close out the season, Murray will need to be at his best going forward. 

9. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Get

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 722 / AVG: 4.8 / TD: 11 / Receiving Yards: 240 / AVG: 17.1 / TD: 2

After sitting out last week with an ankle injury, Lattimore returned with a bang in Week 9. He had 29 carries for 184 yards and a touchdown, adding two catches for 26 yards. It was Lattimore's second straight game with over 200 total yards. 

8. Vai Taua, Nevada

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COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Vai Taua #34 the Nevada Wolf Pack carries the ball during the first half of the game against the Missouri Tigers on September 13, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 928 / AVG: 6.6 / TD: 11 / Receiving Yards: 102 / AVG: 9.3 / TD: 3

Taua sat out Nevada's win over Utah State after sustaining an ankle injury against Hawaii a couple weeks earlier. He was expected to play after a bye week to rest, but was held out as a precautionary measure.  

7. Daniel Thomas, Kansas State

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 996 / AVG: 5.1 / TD: 10 / Receiving Yards: 120 / AVG: 5.7 / TD: 0

After a bit of a rough patch earlier in the season, Thomas seems to have found his stride again, rushing for over 100 yards in his second consecutive game. Oklahoma State's defense made him work for it, though, as it took Thomas 29 carries to reach the century mark.  

6. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State

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TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 09: Runningback Jacquizz Rodgers #1 of the Oregon State Beavers warms up before the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Beavers defeated the Wildcats 29-27.

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 740 / AVG: 4.5 / TD: 13 / Receiving Yards: 139 / AVG: 7.7 / TD: 2

Rodgers had his second straight three-touchdown game on Saturday, and while he wasn't able to match his production against Washington a week earlier, he was nearly unstoppable in Oregon State's win over Cal. Rodgers carried the ball 22 times for 119 yards and three touchdowns in the 35-7 victory. 

5. Trent Richardson, Alabama

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after running for a touchdown during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyon

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 606 / AVG: 7.0 / TD: 5 / Receiving Yards: 244 / AVG: 13.6 / TD: 3

Alabama was off in Week 9, but Richardson's performance against Tennessee the week before showed us yet again that he's going to really take this country by storm once he's the featured back. Against the Vols, he need only 11 carries and one catch for 124 total yards and two scores.

4. Mark Ingram, Alabama

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Mark Ingram #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 544 / AVG: 6.4 / TD: 8 / Receiving Yards: 68 / AVG: 5.2 / TD: 0

Ingram has taken quite a bit of heat this season from observers who are beginning to wonder if he's overrated. Based on Ingram's production, there's a good argument behind that line of thought. We'll reserve judgment for one more week until he faces LSU's stout defense. 

3. John Clay, Wisconsin

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MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 16: John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 31-18. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 887 / AVG: 5.5 / TD: 13 / Receiving Yards: 9 / AVG: 9.0 / TD: 0

Wisconsin was off in Week 9, so Clay takes a backseat to Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James for now.  But we haven't forgotten how good he's been this season with his 13 rushing touchdowns tied for third in the nation. 

2. Kendall Hunter, Oklahoma State

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 1,174 / AVG: 6.2 / TD: 12 / Receiving Yards: 44 / AVG: 3.1 / TD: 0

Hunter was solid yet again in Week 9, rushing for over 100 yards for the fifth straight game. He carried the ball 28 times for 143 yards against Kansas State, but failed to score for the second time this season. He's the third-leading rusher in the country and is tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns. 

1. LaMichael James, Oregon

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks carries the ball against the USC Trojans during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2010 Stats

Rushing Yards: 1,210 / AVG: 7.1 / TD: 14 / Receiving Yards: 119 / AVG: 23.8 / TD: 1

James looks like a lock for the Doak Walker Award, and had one of his best games of the season with 239 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's 53-32 win over USC. It was the third time this year he's had over 225 yards rushing and at least two scores. He leads all running backs in yards and touchdowns.