College Football 2011: Top 15 Returning Quarterback-Running Back Tandems

As the 2011 college football season approaches, we are forced to look at what quarterback-running back tandems will help their teams make big moves this year.

College football is so tough to predict but returning players bring dedication and knowledge of the system that is important to a team’s success.

This slideshow is off the top 15 returning quarterback- running back combinations that can make a splash this season.

Enjoy!

15. LSU Tigers

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson #9 of the LSU Tigers call a play against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Jordan Jefferson

Running Back: Michael Ford

Les Miles and the LSU Tigers are looking to make a run at a National Title this season and their quarterback-running back tandem will be a big part of it.

Jordan Jefferson will return for his senior year and try to build on a solid 2010 which saw him score 14 total touchdowns.

He will be joined by sophomore Michael Ford who will see his first action as a starter after carrying the ball only 45 times and had three touchdowns.

14. Penn State Nittany Lions

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Silas Redd #25 of the Penn State Nittany Lions stiff arms Jermale Hines #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Matthew McGloin

Running Back: Silas Redd

After freshman Robert Bolden struggled early in the season, Penn State turned the reigns over to sophomore Matthew McGloin.

In only seven games last season, McGloin had 1548 passing yards and threw for 14 touchdowns.

With the departure of Penn State star Evan Royster, sophomore Silas Redd will be running the rock for the Lions.

Redd ran for 437 yards on 77 carries and averaged 2.7 yards per rush.  With a full load, Redd could be a hug star for the Nittany Lions.

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 16: Quarterback Chris Relf #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs runs upfield against the Florida Gators October 16, 2010 Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Chris Relf

Running Back: Vick Ballard

Mississippi State went 9-4 in 2010 and finished the season with an impressive 52-14 victory over the Michigan Wolverines.

Lucky for the Bulldogs, they return senior quarterback Chris Relf who threw for 1789 yards and added 13 touchdowns.

The senior tandem will be completed by Vick Ballard who had 968 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.



12. Oklahoma Sooners

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners hands the ball off to Roy Finch #22 also of the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by

Quarterback: Landry Jones

Running Back: Roy Finch

The Oklahoma Sooners look to have a bounce back season over being a disappointment last season.

The return of star quarterback Landry Jones boosts the offense and 4718 passing yards and 38 touchdowns in 2010 make this a big time opportunity for the Sooners to be successful.

Roy finch is still very new to the starting game but he has potential to be a star in Oklahoma.



11. USC Trojans

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: Marc Tyler #26 of the USC Trojans takes a handoff from Matt Barkley #7 against the Oregon Ducks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Matt Barkley

Running Back: Marc Tyler

USC is still recovering from the sanctions leveled against it by the NCAA but coach Lane Kiffin has done a good job recruiting through all the trouble.

Barkley returns to the Trojans after passing for 2791 yards and adding 26 touchdowns.

Senior running back Marc Tyler ran for 913 yards and nine touchdowns but looks to become a bigger factor in the 2011 season.



10. Texas Longhorns

Darren Carroll/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 25: University of Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert #7 calls a play during the first half against Texas A&M at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Garrett Gilbert

Running Back: Malcolm Brown

The Longhorns were terrible last season but a strong recruiting class and some good players returning, this season should be better.

Texas will be lead by quarterback Garrett Gilbert, who had 2744 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He will be joined by senior running back Cody Johnson and the two will need to work hard to put a Texas program back in winning ways.

9. West Virginia Mountaineers

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountineers passes over George Bryan #84 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the Champs Sports Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by

Quarterback: Geno Smith

Running Back: Ryan Clarke

The Mountaineers had a down year but the 2011 season holds a lot of potential.

Smith passed for 2763 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and looks to be even better this season.

As a first year starter, Ryan Clarke has a lot to think about. He had eight touchdowns on 80 carries.

8. Michigan Wolverines

Rick Dole/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines passes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

Quarterback: Denard Robinson

Running Back: Vincent Smith

The Wolverines return one of the most dangerous players in college football in Denard Robinson.

Robinson ran for 14 touchdowns and threw for 18 more last season and was one of the best dual threat quarterbacks.

Adding to the rush threat, Smith had 601 yards and five touchdowns but look for him to make more of an impact this year as teams plan for Robinson.



7. Florida State Seminoles

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: EJ Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl at Georgia Dome on December 31, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Quarterback: EJ Manuel

Running Back: Chris Thompson

Florida State has really turned a corner as a program and will make a giant step this season.

It will be Manuel’s first season as a starter but he will have a lot of tools to play with.  In limited action last season, Manuel had 861 passing yards and added four touchdowns.

Joining him in the backfield will be Chris Thompson and the six touchdowns he managed last season.

6. Alabama Crimson Tide

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Trent Richardson #3 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)

Quarterback: AJ McCarron

Running Back: Trent Richardson

After a down year for the Tide, expect them to be right in the middle of a title run this season.

The return of Trent Richardson is the biggest positive and he will have a chance to be the number one runner going forward.

AJ McCarron will be a first time starter but if the team leans on the running game and builds McCarron slowly, the defense can carry them through the start of the season.



5. South Carolina Gamecocks

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 11: Tailback Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball during the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks beat the

Quarterback: Stephen Garcia

Running Back: Marcus Lattimore

The South Carolina Gamecocks will put their hopes on the shoulders of senior quarterback Stephen Garcia.

Garcia put up 3059 passing yards to go along with his 20 touchdowns.

Assisting him will be sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore.  The sophomore ran for 1197 yards and 17 touchdowns.

4. Ohio State Buckeyes

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to hand the ball of to Dan Herron #1 against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Quarterback: Terrelle Pryor

Running Back: Dan Herron

Ohio State looks as ready as they’ll ever be to make a serious push for a BCS Championship this season.

Terrelle Pryor returns after a solid season that saw him grow as a quarterback and compile 31 total touchdowns.

The Buckeyes have a good running back in Dan Herron, who had 1155 rushing yards last season and will be looking for more this year.

3. Boise State Broncos

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos warms up before playing against the Utah Utes in the MAACO Bowl Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State Won 26-3. (Photo by Et

Quarterback: Kellen Moore

Running Back: Doug Martin

The Broncos come into this season as a potential contender for a BCS Title.

They return Kellen Moore, who has been excellent in his time at Boise State.  Moore had 3845 passing yards and added 35 touchdowns last season.

He will have the added help of running back Doug Martin who had 1260 yards rushing last season.

2. Stanford Cardinals

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates as he walks off the field after Stanford won 40-12 against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miami, Florida.

Quarterback: Andrew Luck

Running Back: Stepfan Taylor

The Stanford Cardinals made a big splash last season and don’t expect much different this year.

The return of Andrew Luck is huge for Stanford. Last year, Luck passed for 3338 yards and threw 32 touchdowns.

To relieve pressure on luck and open the passing game, the Cardinals have Taylor and his 1137 yards rushing last season.

1. Oregon Ducks

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Head coach Chip Kelly speaks with quarterback Darron Thomas #1 and running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducksin the second quarter of the game against the the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010

Quarterback: Darron Thomas

Running Back: LaMichael James

After a loss in the National Title game, the Ducks will be looking to go one step farther this season.

The duo of Darron Thomas and LaMichael James returns for another chance at a title and bring a lot of experience with them.

They also have brought solid recruits and the team has potential to be damn good again.