College Football 2011 Predictions: 11 Running Backs Who Will Go Over 1,000 Yards

This season, there was minimal talent available at the running back position in the 2011 NFL Draft.

That's because many of the stud running backs in college football will be returning for the 2011 season.

Call me old school, but I don't think there is anything better than watching teams battle it out in the trenches.

Although most of college football is slowly being geared towards high flying passing attacks, there will still be many running backs who will have fantastic seasons.

Here are 11 running backs who are guaranteed to rush for over 1,000 yards this season.

11. Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina)

There is a reason that this list is a top 11 instead of a top ten. I was afraid of the backlash I may receive if I left Marcus Lattimore off this list.

As a freshman, Lattimore became the workhorse for the South Carolina offense. He rushed for 1,197 yards on 249 carries.

With the quarterback position now a big question mark for the Gamecocks, he will likely see an even bigger load of carries as a sophomore.

The future is bright for Lattimore, some even has him as a potential Heisman candidate in the future.

10. Michael Dyer (Auburn)

The departure of Cam Newton to the NFL means two things for Michael Dyer.

First, he will be seeing many more carries than he did his freshman year.

Next, the holes are going to be a lot smaller than they were with Newton at quarterback.

Despite this, Dyer should still hit at least 1,000 yards next year. He will be the workhorse for the Auburn offense next season.

The National Championship game showcased his ability, where Dyer ran for 143 yards on 22 carries.

Not to mention, Dyer broke the freshman rushing yard record at Auburn last season with 1,093 yards. The guy he took the record from: Bo Jackson.

9. Cyrus Gray (Texas A&M)

Cyrus Gray could be a big disappointment, or he could be the nation's leading rusher at the end of the 2011 season.

If you made me pick, I'd go with the later of the two choices.

Heading into week seven of his junior year, Gray had only 49 carries for 195 yards. Over the next seven weeks, he had 151 carries for 938 yards.

Texas A&M won six of those final seven games. They found a weapon in Gray.

I would expect them to continue to utilize his talents next season, and I would expect him to continue the high rate of production.

8. Chris Polk (Washington)

Jake Locker may be gone, but Chris Polk will be returning for his senior season with the Washington Huskies.

With the departure of Locker, it could mean that Polk could see even more action than his last two seasons.

In 2009, he rushed for 1,113 yards. Then last season, he rushed for 1,415 yards.

I would expect a similar performance in 2011. Polk will be the featured player on offense for the Huskies.

7. Knile Davis (Arkansas)

Knile Davis, much like Cyrus Gray, burst onto the scene in the second half of the 2011 season at Arkansas.

Now, as a junior he faces Heisman talks following his 1,322 yard season.

Davis has an amazing blend of talent with power and speed. His junior year will likely be his last for the Razorbacks.

Chances are he will be a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft if he chooses to advance in his career.

6. Zach Line (SMU)

Playing for a school like SMU isn't going to put you in the national spotlight.

However, Zach Line could be one of the better running backs in the nation.

As a sophomore he ran for 1,494 yards and ten touchdowns. Obviously, this wasn't up against the most premiere talent in the nation, but it's still impressive.

Against TCU, the top ranked defense in 2010, Line ran for 139 yards and a touchdown.

5. Ronnie Hillman (San Diego State)

If you haven't heard of Ronnie Hillman, it's time to listen up.

As a true freshman, Hillman was an absolute force for San Diego State last season.

He rushed for 1,532 yards, breaking the record held by Marshall Faulk for most rushing yards by a freshman at the university.

When a record by Marshall Faulk gets broken, that's pretty impressive.

I really don't know what else to say. Watch the video, this kid has some amazing moves.

4. Rex Burkhead (Nebraska)

Rex Burkhead is one of only two players on this list who did not rush for at least 1,000 yards last season.

So why is he so high on this list?

He ran for 951 yards last season as a backup. With Roy Helu Jr. now in the NFL, Burkhead will see a lot more carries in 2011.

Many Nebraska faithful believe that Burkhead has the ability to be even better than Helu Jr.

Only time will tell, but it's pretty safe to say that a 1,000 season should be fairly simple for Burkhead.

3. Trent Richardson (Alabama)

The other player on this list who has not rushed for 1,000 yards in a season is Alabama's Trent Richardson.

Much like Burkhead, this was because Richardson was stuck backing up Mark Ingram who is now in the NFL.

Richardson has received very high praise around the nation.

The majority of the Alabama offense will likely surround Richardson after losing key starters from 2010.

2. Bobby Rainey (Western Kentucky)

Talent doesn't really flock to Western Kentucky regularly.

However, the newest addition to Division 1-A football does boast one talented running back.

Since he is talented, the Hilltoppers tend to force much of the offensive attack through Bobby Rainey. Last season he carried the ball 340 times, the highest in the nation.

This also led to 1,649 rushing yards. It's a number he will likely reach again in 2011.

Keep an eye out for Rainey. His best two games from last season actually came against the team's two toughest opponents.

He ran for 155 yards against Nebraska and 184 yards against Kentucky.

1. LaMichael James (Oregon)

Does this really surprise anybody?

LaMichael James is considered by many the top player in the nation, let alone the top running back. He is the early front-runner for the 2011 Heisman Trophy.

As a freshman, James ran for 1,546 yards. Last season, as a sophomore, he ran for 1,731 yards. He led the nation with that total last year.

There is only one thing that can stop James from reaching 1,000 yards for his third straight season. Barring injury, it's basically a guarantee that he will reach the milestone yet again.