2009 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings ... RBs

CFN 2009 Preview Unit Rankings - Running Backs Ranked 1 to 120

 

Preview 2009 ... Unit Rankings

Running Backs

- CFN Preview 2009
- CFN's Top 200 Players of 2009

CFN 2009 Unit Rankings
- Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Offensive Lines
- Defenses | Defensive Lines | Linebackers | Secondaries  | Special Teams

1. Georgia Tech
 
With all due respect to Oklahoma and USC, Georgia Tech, too, belongs in the discussion when it comes to  the nation’s most talented collection of running backs. Not only is Jonathan Dwyer a bona fide All-American candidate, but he’s now surrounded by a terrific ensemble that’ll keep defenses from focusing on stopping him. If opponents commit too many resources to stopping the junior, Roddy Jones, Anthony Allen, and Marcus Wright will make them pay.

2. Oklahoma
 
Lost in all the bells and whistles of what Sam Bradford did with the nation's third best passing game was a rushing attack that tore off 2,779 yards and 45 touchdowns averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray form an NFL-quality tandem, while Matt Clapp is a tremendous fullback who'll pave the way when needed. Calhoun will soon be a great one.

3. California
 
If everyone stays healthy, and that's no sure-thing, this will be one of the most exciting big-play backfields in the country. Jahvid Best is an ethereal figure with the ball in his hands, but his track record of getting banged up should somewhat temper enthusiasm as the Heisman hype begins to percolate. Shane Vereen is a strong No. 2.

4. Oklahoma State
 
After finishing eighth in the nation in rushing two years in a row, it'll be a stunner if OSU isn't in the top ten again as long as QB Zac Robinson is healthy. The backfield is loaded with talented runner with Kendall Hunter an All-American, Keith Toston a fantastic No. 2. and more talent on the way from a strong recruiting class. Durability has been a problem in the past, but there are too many options to worry much about one injury, even to Hunter.

5. Wisconsin
 
It's Wisconsin, so the running game was solid with a Big Ten-leading 211 yards per game, but it didn’t control games as much as it should have. With P.J. Hill’s ill-advised early jump to the NFL, the time is now for Zach Brown to be an even bigger part of the attack while John Clay will go from being a strong No. 2 to one of the nation’s leading rushers. A top-blocking fullback needs to emerge and the line has to undergo some changes, but Clay and Brown will be the stars of the show.

6. Clemson
 
What is C.J. Spiller capable of doing when he doesn’t have to share touches? We’re about to find about. Fresh and poised to make his decision to return look good, there’s no limit to what he’s capable of achieving this fall. Jamie Harper and Andre Ellington will get weaved into the picture before commanding much bigger roles in 2010.

7. Georgia
 
The running game will be relied on more now that Matthew Stafford is gone, and Georgia has more than enough backs to handle the work even without Knowshon Moreno. If Caleb King isn't getting the job done, then Richard Samuel will step in. If Samuel is having problems, then Carlton Thomas, Dontavius Thomas, or Washaun Ealey will step in. The backfield is loaded and will blow up behind the great Bulldog O line.

8. Colorado
 
It's not a stretch to call this the most talented group of backs in the Big 12, especially if Darrell Scott turns out to be as good as expected. There are four excellent options, including Demetrius Sumler and Rodney Stewart, who can all fly and can all make things happen. There should be a good rotation and a great year if there's some help from the line.

9. Oregon State
 
Well, it didn’t take the program long to recover from the loss of Yvenson Bernard, did it? After taking the country by storm in 2008, what can Jacquizz Rodgers possibly do for an encore. If he can stay healthy for the entire season, a concern in Corvallis, he’ll stockpile the numbers and the individual accolades for a second straight season. Ryan McCants is a strong, reliable No. 2.

10. USC
 
As is the case with so many Trojan units, Pete Carroll will be forced to perform a juggling act to be sure that all of his best skill position players are well fed throughout the year. It’ll be a weekly challenge. Stafon Johnson and Joe McKnight, assuming he’s healthy, to get the bulk of the work, while C.J. Gable, Allen Bradford, and even Curtis McNeal and Marc Tyler scrap and claw for a bigger spotlight. With so much talent, and with the nation's best line to run behind, the backs and the running game have to be more consistent. Finishing 22nd in the nation in rushing, like last year, isn't good enough for this backfield.

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