2007 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... RBs

CFN 2007 Preview Unit Rankings - Running Backs Ranked 1 to 119

2007 CFN All-Americans

Running Backs

CFN 2007 Unit Rankings
2007 Preview | Offenses | Quarterbacks
Receivers | Offensive Lines| Defenses | Defensive Lines
Linebackers | Secondaries | Special Teams  

1. Arkansas
Most teams have to throw the ball to get big plays and move the ball effectively down the field. With Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, the Hogs have two backs who can take it all the way from anywhere on the field. This is the nation's best running back tandem, and if they stay healthy, will combine for over 2,500 yards. The coaching staff isn't going to play around and will do whatever it takes to go with it bread-and-butter.

2. Clemson
All appears to be fine ... for now. With two star backs, James Davis and C.J. Spiller, each capable of winning All-America honors, it'll be tough to get them all the work they might like. Offensive coordinator Rob Spence will get them both on the field at the same time as much as possible to provide several different looks and more options get them the ball. These two will carry the team.

3. Texas A&M
The formula should work again with Mike Goodson setting them up and Jorvorskie Lane knocking them down. In a perfect world, the Aggies run like they did against Missouri (despite only gaining 180 yards) when the ground game dominated the second half and Lane turned into a closer. The backs will lead the way to another top ten finish in rushing offense. The Aggies have an embarrassment of riches.

4. Oklahoma State
There's speed, talent, power in the backups, and a whole bunch of production returning. While QB Bobby Reid will chip in with around 500 rushing yards again, it'll be the backs that make all the noise tearing off big play after big play. The coaching staff should be able to tinker with the gameplan using power backs like Julius Crosslin and John Johnson to provide a little bit of power at times. All the tailbacks need is a little bit of a hole and they're gone. Dantrell Savage averaged 6.5 yards per carry while Keith Toston averaged six yards per run.

5. West Virginia
Even without two of his best blockers, Dan Mozes and Jeremy Sheffey, Steve Slaton will be Steve Slaton, slicing through opposing defenses on a weekly basis.  However, unless a reliable reserve or two emerges, he could be gassed by the time November arrives. Senior Owen Schmitt is part fullback and part cult-hero around Morgantown.

6. Wisconsin
It's Wisconsin, so there will always be production from the tailbacks, but there are question marks. P.J. Hill won't have to be everything for the running game, but the longer he can stay effective with 20+ carries a game, the better. In a perfect world, Hill will carry the ground game with star recruits John Clay and/or Zach Brown able to redshirt.

7. Oklahoma
OU has three backs who could be First Team All-Big 12 performers with the full-time workload. Allen Patrick, Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray were all superstar recruits, and they run like it. There's an embarrassment of riches in the backfield in what should be one of the nation's most effective ground games. Call if a perfect convergence of fast, talented backs working behind a tremendous line.

8. Miami
The 1-2 punch of Javarris James and Graig Cooper could be devastating in a rotation. While the idea early on will likely be to get James into a groove, Cooper will have games when he takes over and dominates. Bringing in a veteran like Charlie Jones off the bench is a luxury. Miami is back to being a running back factory again with James and Cooper at the helm. These two are special.

9. Navy
If you liked the nation's number one rushing attack before, you're going to love the production from this year's group of backs. Reggie Campbell, Adam Ballard and Shun White seem like they've been around forever, and now they'll use all their experience to crank out big play after big play. Getting the backups more work will be vital to hit the ground running next year.

10. Michigan
The Big Ten's second best running game should shine again as long as Mike Hart is healthy. He has a great offensive line to work behind, and he should be a 100-yard game waiting to happen yet again. The emergence of the backups, and the hope for Kevin Grady to come back healthy, will be the key to keeping Hart fresh for the finishing kick. There are enough layup games on the schedule to get Hart on the bench relatively early.

11	Georgia Tech
12	Oregon State
13	Rutgers
14	Oregon
15	LSU
16	Arizona State
17	Auburn
18	Maryland
19	Boise State
20	Louisville
21	USC
22	Texas
23	Tennessee
24	Georgia
25	Ohio State
26	Iowa
27	Northwestern
28	Michigan State
29	Southern Miss
30	Connecticut
31	Texas Tech
32	Kentucky
33	California
34	Florida
35	Missouri
36	UCLA
37	South Carolina
38	Purdue
39	Virginia Tech
40	Washington
41	TCU
42	NC State
43	Colorado State
44	Minnesota
45	Mississippi
46	New Mexico
47	Ohio
48	Boston College
49	Nebraska
50	Washington State
51	Central Michigan
52	BYU
53	Florida State
54	Notre Dame
55	Tulsa
56	Colorado
57	Wake Forest
58	Kansas State
59	San Diego State
60	Mississippi State
61	Alabama
62	South Florida
63	San Jose State
64	Nevada
65	Pitt
66	Syracuse
67	Toledo
68	UCF
69	Bowling Green
70	UTEP
71	Arkansas State
72	North Texas
73	Utah
74	SMU
75	Penn State
76	Arizona
77	Iowa State
78	Illinois
79	Kansas
80	Western Michigan
81	Indiana
82	Virginia
83	Vanderbilt
84	Stanford
85	Fresno State
86	North Carolina
87	Cincinnati
88	Duke
89	Wyoming
90	Memphis
91	Air Force
92	Northern Illinois
93	Miami Univ.
94	Kent State
95	Houston
96	East Carolina
97	Tulane
98	Louisiana Tech
99	UL Monroe
100	UL Lafayette
101	Baylor
102	UNLV
103	Marshall
104	Akron
105	Idaho
106	Rice
107	Troy
108	UAB
109	MTSU
110	Army
111	Buffalo
112	Hawaii
113	Ball State
114	Temple
115	Florida Atlantic
116	FIU
117	Utah State
118	Eastern Michigan
119	New Mexico State