Big Ten Legends 2011: Ranking the Starting Running Backs in the Division

Everybody knows the Big Ten is loaded at running back every year, and the 2011 season will be no different. 

The Big Ten will feature backs with all different kinds of running styles, making the position even more intriguing than usual. 

The typical strong, power running backs are there as always, but there are also quick, speed backs.  Now that the conference has been split into two divisions, here's a look at the projected starters in the Legends division, ranked from worst to best.

6. Mike Trumpy (RS So.) Northwestern

As a redshirt freshman last year, Mike Trumpy rushed for 530 yards, which led the team.  He rushed for over 100 yards in only two games. 

This isn’t a surprise to Northwestern fans though, as they haven’t been able to run the ball effectively with their running backs in a while.  The past few years, it has been the quarterbacks getting the job done, and it’ll be no different this year with Dan Persa.

If Trumpy could at least make opposing defenses respect Northwestern’s running backs, then that would take a lot of pressure off of Persa, who rushed for 519 yards last year but only averaged 3.2 yards per carry. 

If Trumpy is able to be effective, it’ll make Persa more dangerous, and it’ll cause the offense as a whole to be more effective.

5. Duane Bennett (RS Sr.) Minnesota

Duane Bennett is the only expected senior running back to start in the Legends division this fall. 

He has had at least 98 carries every year he has been at Minnesota except for 2008 but has never even come close to rushing for 1,000 yards. 

It looked like he might last year after rushing for 187 yards in Minnesota’s opener but only ended up running for 529 yards on the year. 

However, many Minnesota running backs have tried and failed over the past few years as the Gophers haven't had a solid ground game in a while.  However, that’s about to change with Jerry Kill taking over.

Kill is determined to get a solid ground game going, and it will be up to Bennett to make sure that it happens.  Bennett was originally expected to share carries with last year’s leading rusher, DeLeon Eskridge, but he abruptly transferred.

Minnesota actually could have a very exciting ground game now that MarQueis Gray is starting at quarterback.  He is expected to get plenty of carries, and if he can run the ball effectively, that would help Bennett a lot. 

Some expect redshirt freshman Donnell Kirkwood to see playing time and maybe even push Bennett for the starting job.  Even though he’s been somewhat ineffective throughout his career, Bennett is looking to go out on top and have a solid senior season.

4. Stephen Hopkins (So.) Michigan

There are as many as four running backs who could win the starting job for Michigan this fall, but Stephen Hopkins is the best suited of them all to run in a pro-style offense.  He should win the job because of his size, as he stands 6’0” and weighs 235 pounds.

Even though he’s projected to start, as many as three or four other backs should see significant playing time this fall.  In fact, it would be a surprise if Hopkins carried the ball 100 times this year; not because he’s not good enough, but because Michigan’s other backs are too good to keep off the field. 

The most likely candidates Hopkins will be splitting carries with are Mike Cox, Fitzgerald Toussaint, Thomas Rawls and Michael Shaw.

Michigan doesn’t have a great running back but a handful of good ones.  They will probably use a running back by committee approach, as that is the best way to get the most out of their stable of running backs.

3. Marcus Coker (So.) Iowa

Going into last year’s Insight Bowl against Missouri, Iowa fans had to be a little worried when Kirk Ferentz announced that starting running back Adam Robinson had been suspended.  However, that fear was wiped away as soon as the game got underway, as true freshman Marcus Coker stepped up in a big way. 

In that game, he carried the ball 33 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns, en route to an Iowa victory.

With Adam Robinson transferring and his departure looking like a huge blow to the Iowa offense, Coker’s performance made it not look so bad. 

His running style is very similar to former Iowa great Shonn Greene, as they are both physical, grind-it-out kind of backs.  He is even built like Shonn Greene, who weighed 235 pounds while Coker weighs 230.

If Coker plays anything like he did in last year’s Insight Bowl, then he will have a monster year.  Only a sophomore, there’s no reason he shouldn’t rush for 1,000 yards this year and go on to have a very productive career at Iowa.

2. Edwin Baker (Jr.) Michigan State

Edwin Baker had a very good year last year, rushing for just over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns.  He did all that while sharing carries somewhat with Le'Veon Bell, who rushed for 605 yards but tailed off mightily in the second half.

After getting over 200 carries last year, Baker could possibly get his workload reduced if Bell and Larry Caper play well.  They have both played well at times in their career but for the most part have been very inconsistent.

Baker should rush for 1,000 yards again, and if he plays as consistent as he did last year, a big question could arise at the end of the season: whether or not he sticks around for his senior year.

1. Rex Burkhead (Jr.) Nebraska

Rex Burkhead is easily one of the toughest running backs in the Big Ten and certainly one of the toughest in the country.  He plays extremely physical and is always looking for contact. 

This kid is the definition of the phrase “tough as nails.”

Other than Burkhead and Taylor Martinez, there aren’t too many playmakers on this Nebraska offense.  These two are truly the heart and soul of the offense.

Even though he was playing behind Roy Helu last year, Burkhead still managed to rush for 951 yards and seven touchdowns. 

Now that Helu is gone, the job will solely belong to him. 

Not only did Burkhead rush for almost 1,000 yards last year, he also threw three touchdown passes, averaged 9.9 yards per catch and even punted a few times. 

This kid can truly do it all, and he could take the Big Ten by storm if they’re not prepared for him.