Preview 2009 ... Fantasy/Stat
Stars
Running Backs
Fantasy 2009
- CFN
Scoring System |
The Top
50 |
Quarterbacks
-
Running Backs |
Receivers
| 2008
CFN Fantasy
Coming Tomorrow ... TEs & Kickers, Rankings By
Conference
College running backs are
always difficult to figure out. Redshirt freshmen emerge, freshmen blow up, JUCO transfers come in, and
quarterbacks tend to run for
touchdowns more in college taking points away. Just as in NFL Fantasy
Football, the top running backs are at a premium. Always be very careful of
some of the top backs as bad lines, backup running backs, rushing
quarterbacks, and other factors
always come into play. According to the CFN Scoring System, touchdowns are
important, but the points rack up quickly for the guys who put up the yards
and can catch the ball as well. Go for the guys you know aren't going to be
subjected to the RB-by-committee format.
Blue Chip Stat Stars
This elite of the elite group will fill up
the stat sheet all season long.
1. Jahvid Best, Jr. California
CFN 2008 Point Total (note: these don't include
two-point conversions): 206 ... 17.13 ppg
Jeff Tedford might be known for his ability to
develop passers, but his teams have cranked out some
fantastic runners (J.J. Arrington and Marshawn
Lynch), too. Best is better. The one question mark
is his lack of durability, but when he's on the
field, he's devastating. He ran for 311 yards and
four scores against Washington as part of a
four-game run of close to 900 yards with nine
scores.
2. Jonathan Dwyer, Jr. Georgia Tech
CFN 2008 Point Total: 174 ... 13.40 ppg
Now that he knows what he's doing, and the Paul
Johnson offense should be more in sync, Dwyer should
go ballistic. Yes, he'll be a marked man, but he's
good enough to overcome the attention and better the
1,395 yards and 12 rushing scores of last year.
3. Kendall Hunter, Jr. Oklahoma State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 207 ... 15.94 ppg
Slightly unsung with all the attention paid to Dez
Bryant and the passing game, Hunter should break
through this year after ripping off 1,555 yards and
16 scores. A home run hitter who's great around the
goal line, he has the offense, the line to work
behind, and the workload that should make him a
statistical superstar once again.
4. Eugene Jarvis, Sr. Kent State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 124 ... 13.83 ppg
After a disappointing year, Jarvis should be the
focal point of the KSU offense once again. He split
rushing duties with QB Julian Edelman, who's now a
jack-of-all-trades for the New England Patriots, and
now the workload will be all his. Watch out for a
run for 2,000 yards if he can stay healthy.
5. Bryce Beall, Soph. Houston
CFN 2008 Point Total: 207 ... 15.89 ppg
Not just a great runner, Beall has has good hands,
too, and will be one of the nation's best
combinations of rushing and receiving yards. While
the Houston offense will revolve around Case Keenum
and the passing game, the multi-talented Beall
should rush for over 1,300 yards and close to 15
scores.
SECOND TIER STARS
These players might not be among the elite,
but they won't be far off and will put up huge
numbers.
6. C.J. Spiller, Sr. Clemson
CFN 2008 Point Total: 127 ... 10.60 ppg
He ran for 629 yards despite missing a good chunk of
the year hurt and with James Davis taking some of
the carries. if Spiller can stay healthy, he'll run
for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. He might be the
most talented back in college football.
7. John Clay, Soph. Wisconsin
CFN 2008 Point Total: 107 ... 8.24 ppg
The Badger running backs always produce. Clay will
have to split a little time with Zach Brown, but
P.J. Hill left early opening up the door for Clay to
become a superstar.
8. James Starks, Sr. Buffalo
CFN 2008 Point Total: 204 ... 16.97 ppg
One of the toughest calls on the board, Starks is a
legitimate pro prospect who could do more than the
1,333 yards and 16 touchdowns of last year now that
the passing game won't be as strong. However,
everyone will load up to stop the run.
9. Andre Anderson, Sr. Tulane
CFN 2008 Point Total: 112 ... 15.99 ppg
When healthy last year, Anderson was unstoppable at
times. Bob Toledo fed the ball to Matt Forte giving
him way too much work, and he'll do the same with
Anderson.
10. MiQuale Lewis, Sr. Ball State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 256 ... 18.26 ppg
He finally stayed healthy and he was incredible. He
found the open spaces and blew through them for huge
run after huge run, and while he's a top five
statistical talent, possibly No. 1, there's too much
turnover in the program to rank him much higher.
11. Vai Taua, Jr. Nevada
CFN 2008 Point Total: 214 ... 16.45 ppg
It's one thing to have to share carries with a
1,000-yard rushing quarterback like Colin Kaepernick,
but he'll also have to share carries with Luke
Lippincott, the star of two years ago who's back
from a knee injury.
12. Derrick Washington, Jr. Missouri
CFN 2008 Point Total: 193 ... 13.77 ppg
Very quietly, Washington has been of the Big 12's
better, more productive backs. He ran for 17
touchdowns and 1,036 yards last year, and he should
be able to do more now that Chase Daniel is gone and
the running game will carry things early on.
13. Victor Anderson, Soph. Louisville
CFN 2008 Point Total: 123 ... 10.24 ppg
Anderson burst on to the scene last season with a
nice 1,047-yard season, and now he'll get the ball
fed to him more often. He's the star the offense
will revolve around.
14. Evan Royster, Jr. Penn State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 155 ... 11.96 ppg
There's a chance Royster will be the No. 1 pick in
the 2010 NFL Draft. Penn State has a nice
young receiving corps, but with the loss of all of
last year's stars, and with an easy schedule,
Royster will get the carries and the stats.
15. LeGarrette Blount, Sr. Oregon
CFN 2008 Point Total: 162 ... 12.38 ppg
The 1,002-yard thumper will have to split carries
with Jeremiah Masoli, but he's a touchdown machine
with 17 scores last year. He should get into the end
zone 20 times.
THIRD TIER
These are great statistical quarterbacks who
are at a slightly lower level because of a QB
controversy, lack of rushing skills, or some other
reason to keep them from the top ranks.
16. Charles Scott, Sr. LSU
CFN 2008 Point Total: 182 ... 14.04 ppg
17. Harvey Unga, Jr. BYU
CFN 2008 Point Total: 177 ... 14.75 ppg
18. Reggie Arnold, Sr. Arkansas State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 121 ... 10.05 ppg
19. Jacquizz Rodgers, Soph. Oregon State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 162 ... 14.73 ppg
20. Damion Fletcher, Sr. Southern Miss
CFN 2008 Point Total: 160 ... 13.30 ppg
21. Chris Brown, Sr. Oklahoma
CFN 2008 Point Total: 206 ... 14.70 ppg
22. Da'Rel Scott, Jr. Maryland
CFN 2008 Point Total: 129 ... 10.77 ppg
23. Jewel Hampton, Soph. Iowa
CFN 2008 Point Total: 70 ... 5.37 ppg
24. Michael Smith, Sr. Arkansas
CFN 2008 Point Total: 142 ... 14.22 ppg
25. DeMarco Murray, Jr. Oklahoma
CFN 2008 Point Total: 192 ... 14.76 ppg
GREAT STATISTICAL PRODUCERS
26. Toby Gerhart, Sr. Stanford
CFN 2008 Point Total: 165 ... 13.75 ppg
27. Ryan Matthews, Jr. Fresno State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 93 ... 11.64 ppg
28. Darrell Scott, Soph. Colorado
CFN 2008 Point Total: 33 ... 2.99 ppg
29. Roy Helu, Jr. Nebraska
CFN 2008 Point Total: 106 ... 8.16 ppg
30. Frank Goodin, Soph. ULM
CFN 2008 Point Total: 106 ... 9.60 ppg
31. Brandon West, Sr. Western Michigan
CFN 2008 Point Total: 144 ... 12.03 ppg
32. Mark Ingram, Soph. Alabama
CFN 2008 Point Total: 119 ... 8.49 ppg
33. Darius Marshall, Jr. Marshall
CFN 2008 Point Total: 102 ... 8.49 ppg
34. Nic Grigsby, Jr. Arizona
CFN 2008 Point Total: 151 ... 11.61 ppg
35. Jake Sharp, Sr. Kansas
CFN 2008 Point Total: 147 ... 11.28 ppg
36. James Wright, Soph. New Mexico
CFN 2008 Point Total: 33 ... 4.70 ppg
37. Brandon Minor, Sr. Michigan
CFN 2008 Point Total: 102 ... 9.23 ppg
38. Daniel Porter, Sr. Louisiana Tech
CFN 2008 Point Total: 141 ... 11.73 ppg
39. Ashton Leggett, Soph. Michigan State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 6 ... 0.54 ppg
40. DaJuane Collins, Sr. Toledo
CFN 2008 Point Total: 74 ... 7.42 ppg
41. Daniel Dufrene, Sr. Illinois
CFN 2008 Point Total: 68 ... 6.19 ppg
42. Mike Ford, Jr. South Florida
CFN 2008 Point Total: 56 ... 5.07 ppg
43. Matt Asiata, Sr. Utah
CFN 2008 Point Total: 127 ... 9.78 ppg
44. Curtis Steele, Soph. Memphis
CFN 2008 Point Total: 127 ... 9.74 ppg
45. Graig Cooper, Jr. Miami
CFN 2008 Point Total: 91 ... 7.02 ppg
46. Alexander Robinson, Jr. Iowa State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 88 ... 8.78 ppg
47. Dan Herron, Soph. Ohio State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 64 ... 5.83 ppg
48. Anthony Dixon, Sr. Mississippi State
CFN 2008 Point Total: 113 ... 9.43 ppg
49. Noel Devine, Jr. West Virginia
CFN 2008 Point Total: 112 ... 8.65 ppg
50. Montario Hardesty, Sr. Tennessee
CFN 2008 Point Total: 54 ... 4.88 ppg
WATCH LIST