2010 CFN Preview - Unit Rankings, RBs

CFN 2010 Preview Unit Rankings from top to bottom - Running Backs

Preview 2010 - Unit Rankings

Running Backs

2010 CFN Preseason Rankings
- 1 to 5 | 6 to 10 | 11 to 20 | 21 to 30 | 31 to 40 | 41 to 50 | 51 to 60
- 61 to 70 | 71 to 80 | 81 to 90 | 91 to 100 | 101 to 110 | 111 to 120
- CFN Preseason Rankings 2009 | 2008 | 2007

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CFN 2010 Unit Rankings
- Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Offensive Lines
- Defenses | Defensive Lines | Linebackers | Secondaries  | Special Teams

1. Alabama
Virginia Tech and Wisconsin have legitimate claim, but Alabama should have the most talented group of backs in America. Mark Ingram is a special talent who can catch, run inside, and bust big plays on the outside, and this year he’ll prove that he really was unquestionably worth the Heisman Trophy (and didn’t just win it because no one outside of the Pacific Time Zone saw Toby Gerhart play). Trent Richardson is a devastating No. 2 and would start for almost anyone else.

2. Wisconsin
As long as everyone can hold on to the ball (a big problem at times throughout last year) and as long as John Clay can stay healthy, Wisconsin can challenge Alabama and Virginia Tech for the honor of having the nation’s best stable of backs. There are three runners (Clay, Zach Brown, and Montee Ball) able to crank out 100 yards at any time, and there should be a terrific rotation to keep everyone fresh. With all five starters returning up front, and with a good passing game to take the pressure off, anything less than 2,750 yards from this group would be disappointing.

3. Virginia Tech
Two years ago, Tech responded to the dismissal of Branden Ore with Darren Evans. Last year, its answer to Evans’ injury was Ryan Williams. Now that both are on hand, the biggest challenge will be keeping everyone happy. Add mobile QB Tyrod Taylor into the mix, and opponents won’t know where to turn to stop this running attack. ‘Bama is the only other school with an argument about the best backfield in the country.

4. Nevada
With a great rotation, a terrific line, a fantastic offensive scheme, and plenty of speed and skill, the Nevada running game will be among the nation’s leaders yet again. Vai Taua and Mike Ball could end up being the first-team All-WAC runners, and Courtney Randall and Lampford Mark will get more than their share of carries to keep the rotation fresh. Combining with QB Colin Kaepernick, the ground game will crank out over 4,000 yards again.

5. Oregon State
Quietly, this program never seems to have a problem developing elite players out of the backfield. Jacquizz Rodgers is clearly the next in line. After two seasons, he has established himself as one of America’s most exciting playmakers and a model of consistency. Jovan Stevenson is capable of surprising those people who believe this is a one-horse stable at Oregon State.

6. Pitt
Dave Wannstedt has been pointing to this day for years, when he has a loaded backfield that can wear defenses down for four quarters. Dion Lewis, the undisputed star, has looked even better and stronger this offseason, and Ray Graham plans to make life tough on the staff. Particularly as a new starting quarterback gets broken in, both will be used liberally in 2010. Lewis is a legitimate All-America candidate and Graham would start for a bunch of schools not named Pittsburgh. This is an ideal situation for Wannstedt, who’s biggest concern this season might be making sure that all of his gifted backs are happy.

7. Oregon
As long as LaMichael James is upright, Oregon will have one of the nation’s premier backs and a candidate for all kinds of individual honors. And if the staff chooses to lighten his load a little bit this fall, it has plenty of viable options, from veterans Kenjon Barner and Remene Alston to rookies Lache Seastrunk and Dontae Williams. Losing LeGarrette Blount early in 2009 means the program is much better prepared in the backfield in 2010.

8. Utah
As always, the Utes will tear off more than 2,000 yards on the ground and well over 20 scores, but unlike past years almost all the production will come from the running backs. With Matt Asiata, Eddie Wide, and Sausan Shakerin, there’s no reason to let anyone else take a pounding. How deep are the Utes? Shakerin would probably be a first-team All-Mountain West star for anyone else. It’s not a bad thing to have too many good backs to get the ball to.

9. Georgia Tech
Although Jonathan Dwyer’s presence will be missed, Allen is around to minimize the damage. He’s going to pile up huge numbers as the new focal point of the backfield. More output, however, will be needed from the A-backs, like Roddy Jones, Embry Peeples, and Marcus Wright, who were a little too quiet a year ago.

10. UTEP
Donald Buckram is a rare gem in West Texas these days and easily the best reason to watch a UTEP game. He’s one of the country’s most exciting playmakers and the type of weapon that’ll keep the Miners in games that it otherwise would be overmatched. If he stays healthy, 2,000 yards rushing might be within reach, especially against a schedule void of defensive heavyweights.

COULD EASILY BE IN TOP TEN

Air Force	M-West
Auburn	SEC
Boston College	ACC
California	Pac 10
Georgia	SEC
Ohio State	Big Ten
Oklahoma	Big 12
Penn State	Big Ten
West Virginia	Big East

SOLID, WILL BE A POSITIVE

Arkansas	SEC
Army	Ind
Boise State	WAC
Clemson	ACC
Connecticut	Big East
Florida	SEC
Florida State	ACC
Houston	C-USAW
Iowa State	Big 12
Kansas State	Big 12
Kent State	MAC
Kentucky	SEC
Navy	Ind
Nebraska	Big 12
Oklahoma State	Big 12
Ole Miss	SEC
TCU	M-West
Temple	MAC
Tennessee	SEC
Texas A&M	Big 12
Vanderbilt	SEC
Washington	Pac 10

AVERAGE

Arizona	Pac 10
Ball State	MAC
Buffalo	MAC
Cincinnati	Big East
Colorado	Big 12
Fresno State	WAC
Illinois	Big Ten
Iowa	Big Ten
Kansas	Big 12
Louisville	Big East
LSU	SEC
Maryland	ACC
Miami	ACC
Michigan	Big Ten
Michigan State	Big Ten
Mississippi State	SEC
Missouri	Big 12
North Carolina	ACC
Northern Illinois	MAC
Notre Dame	Ind
Rutgers	Big East
South Carolina	SEC
Stanford	Pac 10
Texas	Big 12
Texas Tech	Big 12
USC	Pac 10
Utah State	WAC
Wake Forest	ACC

NEEDS WORK

Arizona State	Pac 10
Arkansas State	Sun Belt
Baylor	Big 12
Colorado State	M-West
Duke	ACC
Florida Atlantic	Sun Belt
Indiana	Big Ten
Minnesota	Big Ten
NC State	ACC
North Texas	Sun Belt
Northwestern	Big Ten
Purdue	Big Ten
Rice	C-USAW
South Florida	Big East
Southern Miss	C-USAE
Syracuse	Big East
Toledo	MAC
Troy	Sun Belt
UCF	C-USAE
UCLA	Pac 10
UL Monroe	Sun Belt
UNLV	M-West
Virginia	ACC
Western Kentucky	Sun Belt

A PROBLEM

Akron	MAC
Bowling Green	MAC
BYU	M-West
Central Michigan	MAC
East Carolina	C-USAE
Eastern Michigan	MAC
Idaho	WAC
Louisiana Tech	WAC
Marshall	C-USAE
Memphis	C-USAE
Miami Univ.	MAC
Middle Tennessee	Sun Belt
New Mexico	M-West
New Mexico State	WAC
Ohio	MAC
San Jose State	WAC
Western Michigan	MAC

THE BOTTOM TEN

FIU	Sun Belt
Hawaii	WAC
San Diego State	M-West
SMU	C-USAW
Tulane	C-USAW
Tulsa	C-USAW
UAB	C-USAE
UL Lafayette	Sun Belt
Washington State	Pac 10
Wyoming	M-West

CFN 2010 Unit Rankings
- Offenses | Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Receivers | Offensive Lines
- Defenses | Defensive Lines | Linebackers | Secondaries  | Special Teams

2010 CFN Preseason Rankings
- 1 to 5 | 6 to 10 | 11 to 20 | 21 to 30 | 31 to 40 | 41 to 50 | 51 to 60
- 61 to 70 | 71 to 80 | 81 to 90 | 91 to 100 | 101 to 110 | 111 to 120
- CFN Preseason Rankings 2009 | 2008 | 2007