For Pac-10 Running Backs, Why Does Size Matter?

For the Pac-10 conference the top running backs are proving that size does not matter. In fact each one of them isn't even 200 pounds, but the each of them have the ability to move the pile to get the yards needed for a first down or can use their speed and ability to make people miss and take it for a score.

The first on the list is the actual leading rusher in the Pac-10 he has 64 more carries than anyone in the conference, but because of that he doesn't have as high of a yards per carry as the other two on this list.

The leading rusher in the Pac-10 is Jacquizz Rodgers so far this season he has carried the ball 255 times for 1233 yards while averaging 123.3 yards per game and has 11 touchdowns on the season. The good news for Beaver fans is that he's only a freshman.

Rodgers has also shown his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He's got 28 catches for 244 yards and 1 touchdown, with a long of 41 yards. Now Rodgers longest rush this year has been for 33 yards.

On a sidenote, Rodgers's brother James has a longer run this season of 55 yards. I guess it can be said it's a little disappointing to see that Quizz has great speed, but hasn't been able to break off that big touchdown run.

Here are some clips of Jacquizz Rodgers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hyKW7nuMV8 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsUhbVB5XK8

What makes Rodgers's season so impressive is that he's 5'6" 180 pounds. He reminds me of Darren Sproles who played at Kansas State.  Rodgers is the same size as Sproles.

Just read a blog by John Canzano who writes in The Oregonian Sports Section stating that Rodgers should be considered for the Heisman. Right now he would be a dark horse because of the way Colt McCoy and Graham Harrell are playing. Personally I believe it's going to be Harrell.

The problem with Rodgers as to why he wouldn't be considered for the Heisman is because of his yards per carry. In his blog Canzano mentions Javon Ringer and Shonn Greene. They may have played one more game than Rodgers, but they also average at least 17 more yards per game and have more touchdowns rushing. Greene himself averages 6.2 yards per carry while Ringer averages 4.4 yards per carry.

I would say that Rodgers would be ahead of Ringer because of yards per carry, but Ringer has 20 touchdowns on the ground. So, that's 9 more than what Rodgers, making Ringer the better pick. Greene has 15 touchdowns, four more than Rodgers and he also has the better yards per carry at 6.2. He would also be selected over Rodgers.

Don't get me wrong. It's going to be an interesting battle for the next few years with Rodgers and the other running backs in the Pac-10.

The third leading rusher in the Pac-10 is Nic Grigsby from Arizona. He's taller at 5'10" and weighs 178 pounds. I haven't seen him play this year except when the Wildcats played the California Golden Bears.

Unfortunately for Grigsby, his first carry went for 13 yards then fumbled. Grigsby was benched for the rest of that game and was replaced by Keola Antolin who carried the ball 21 times for 149 yards and 3 touchdowns. Antolin is a smaller running back than Grigsby, at 5'8" 180 pounds.

Grigsby is definitely having an impressive season if one game he can carry for one time and rush for 13 yards, yet still be third in the Pac-10 in rushing. Grigsby has carried the ball 166 times for 941 yards has a 5.7 yards per carry average and 11 rushing touchdowns. His average per game is 94.7 yards.

Grigsby, unlike the other two running backs in the Pac-10, isn't utilized in the passing game. He's only caught nine passes for 42 yards which is a 4.7 yards per catch average and his longest has been 13 yards, with no touchdown passes caught. Now for Grigsby, his longest run of the year has been for 55 yards

Here's some clips of Grigsby http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsex0ceiDtk and unfortunately that's the only clip I could find of him and it's of Keola Antolin taking a huge hit from Taylor Mays and then Grigsby almost taking a handoff for a touchdown against USC, but Grigsby also was injured on the play.

The fourth leading rusher in the Pac-10, who could also be the most dangerous to keeping Rodgers's from winning more rushing titles in the Pac-10, is the Sophomore running back from Cal. Jahvid Best is a game breaker because he can go all the way at anytime. He had a 65 yard touchdown run against Oregon State.

The only problem with Best so far is his injury history. He is 5'10" 193 pounds and the biggest surprise to me is that he's a tough inside runner. Last year he hurt his hip and missed a substantial amount of playing time. This year he started out great, but he dove into the end zone and dislocated his elbow on a freak play.

Luckily for the Bears, Best only missed one game and they have a more than capable backup in Shane Vareen.

This season Best has carried the ball 136 times, rushed for 882 yards, averages 6.5 yards per carry, scored 7 touchdowns, and averages 98 yards per game. Best also has been utilized in the passing game, catching 24 passes for 211 yards averaging 8.2 yards per catch. Best has a longest reception on the season of 42 yards.

Last year before Best got injured he was the Bears best special teams player. He was the fastest to make a tackle on a punt. So, the punt return by Stroughter in the Bears game wouldn't have happened last year. This years because of the injuries he's no longer on special teams and it has hurt them on giving up big returns.

Anyways here's some clips of Best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AIoxKjTfPk, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBxSeucnxfw&feature=related, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWLIBwocp5A

Of the three running backs in the Pac-10 with Jacquizz Rodgers speed and ability, most teams playing the Beavers have done a great job containing him. With Best it's the exact opposite.

As mentioned earlier Rodgers longest run of the season is 33 yards. Best has an 86 yard scamper with a couple of games left on the schedul. Along with the 86 yard run Best also has runs of 80, 65, and 50 yards.

So here's the great news for Pac-10 football. If Best and Grigsby stay for full four years, there's at least two more years of Best, Rodgers, and Grigsby fighting for the rushing title.