JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
In this installment of our 'Best of the B1G' series, we take a look at the top running backs for this fall and rank them.
It has been a while since I looked back at last year's Big Ten statistics, so there have been a few surprises for me.
The first such reminder was that two of the Big Ten's top rushers from 2010 were quarterbacks including the leading ground gainer, and only one Big Ten running back averaged more than 100 yards per game. Of the remaining eight players that are running backs, gone are Mikel Leshoure (Illinois), Adam Robinson (Iowa), John Clay (Wisconsin) and Evan Royster (Penn State). That leaves Michigan State's Edwin Baker (4th), Ohio State's Dan Herron and Wisconsin's James White (7th) and Monte Ball (8th) as the three players returning among the top ten leading rushers from 2010 in the Big Ten.
Clay and White were 1,000 yard carriers for Wisconsin where Ball had 996. Royster is Penn State's all time leading rusher and Robinson did a lot of dirty work for the Hawkeyes. Herron will sit out the first five games this year due to a suspension...so I guess that makes for an interesting Best of the B1G rundown...
12. Mike Trumpy, Northwestern: He gained 530 yards on 116 carries last year. This is where I would throw in the adjective 'workmanlike' to describe a player's game. Trumpy is that, and he is not flashy. The Cats need him to be much better this year or for someone else to step up and help bolster this running game that has produced some quality Big Ten performers through the years. I just don't think Trumpy is that guy.
11. Purdue Mix: Ralph Bolden injured his ACL last spring, a huge loss for Purdue. He is still rehabbing that injury and who knows if he will return to his pre-injury form and when. They have a Juco transfer in Akeem Shavers along with unproven Reggie Pegram. By the time September rolls around, Bolden will be nearly 18 months recovered from that knee, certainly within the window to make a complete recovery from an ACL. However, when dealing with running backs or any player, the mental healing is impossible to tell. However, a 75% Bolden is not too shabby and there is a lot of room for Purdue to improve at this position.
10. Michigan Mix: There are five running backs in competition for the 'starting position'. Brady Hoke would like to return the Wolverines to more of a power running attack. That would seem to leave last year's leading rusher not named Denard Robinson Vincent Smith the unlikely candidate to be the bell cow, as he is under 200-pounds and more of a speed player. Mike Cox did well in the spring game and 6-0/227 pound Stephen Hopkins can mash it. This one is going to go down to the wire with most everyone being unproven. With so many questions marks and a new style of offense, this group is near the bottom of the Big Ten list.
9. Darius Willis, Indiana: Willis injured his patellar tendon last fall and wasn't able to put up many stats. As a freshman, he gained 607 yards on 123 carries and had a nice burst. He will miss the season opener due to a disciplinary suspension.
8. DeLeon Eskridge, Minnesota: He put up 698 yards on 193 carries last year for the Gophers, who didn't have the world's best offensive line. He's a slippery back capable of carrying the mail, but Minnesota was certainly a pass first team one year ago with Adam Weber playing out his career.
7. Silas Redd, Penn State: The 5-10/200 Redd had close to 80 carries last year and tallied 437 yards or 5.7 per tote. Royster averaged just 4.9 yards per carry last season on 208 carries. That's not a lot of carries for a featured back, meaning Royster had used up too much tread on his tires or Redd has some lightning to him. Penn State fans are excited about his future, to be sure.
6. Marcus Coker, Iowa: Coker had 622 yards on 114 carries for a solid 5.5 yards per carry average. In the four games he started for Iowa, including the Ohio State game where he started and played the entire first quarter and then sparingly after that due to Adam Robinson's return, he 85 carries for 508 yards for 5.97 yards per carry. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry against the Buckeyes and 6.6 per carry against Missouri in the Insight Bowl on 33 carries for 219 yards. He has a bright future and will be running behind a very good offensive line this year. He has the size to handle 25 carries per game and he'll have every chance to be THE featured back this year for Iowa.
5. Jason Ford, Illinois: He has close to 1400 career rushing yards and 2011 will be his third season carrying the ball for Illinois but his first as the featured back. He had 99 carries for 480 yards last year, an average of 4.8. He's 6-1/235 so he can handle the inside plays. He should have a shot at 300 carries in Illinois run option attack; Leshoure had 281 a year ago for a school record 1697 yards. He had verbally committed to Iowa before changing his commitment to Illinois.
4. Rex Burkhead, Nebraska: He put up 172 carries for 951 yards last year as the change of pace back for the Cornhuskers. Roy Helu, Jr was the faster, more game breaking back where Burkhead is a patient runner, waiting for the hole to open and then turning upfield. He's not going to set any stop watch records, but he is a dependable masher helping the Cornhuskers come into a league that likes to grind the meat.
3. Edwin Baker, Michigan State: He put up 1201 yards on 207 carries last year as the featured back, but he wasn't the only back. Le'Veon Bell ran for 605 yards on 107 carries. Baker's average per carry was 5.8 while Bell's was 5.7. Baker had a long run of 80 yards with Bell a long run of 75, Baker had 13 touchdowns and Bell had 8. Baker only had three catches out of the backfield, as he is a one dimensional threat. Throw Larry Caper into the mix as well and you have a formidable running attack. One could argue the Spartans have the most talented backfield in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation.
2. Dan Herron, Ohio State: 'Boom' as he is called ranked for 1155 on 216 carries last year (5.3/ypc) and scored 16 touchdowns. He is powerful but also has a speed burst through the hole, and he'll be behind a good offensive line in 2011...that is, once he sees the field. Herron is part of the Tattoo Five who will sit out the first five games of the 2011 season, which includes one Big Ten game. He'll have a chance to make up for lost time starting game six at Nebraska and should still be among the rushing leaders for Big Ten games next year.
1. James White/Monte Ball, Wisconsin: After the season each player had last year, and given Wisconsin's penchant for wanting to pound the rock plus their total uncertainty at quarterback, you can expect each of these players to split time and still get at least 15 carries per game apiece. White had 156 carries for 1,052 yards, Clay 187 carries for 1012 yards and Ball 163 carries for 996 yards last year. Heck, these two might push the 20 carries per game mark, individually, in 2011. White had 14 touchdowns to Ball's 18 and White averaged 6.7 yards per carry to Ball's 6.1. White is the speedster on the group. I realize it may seem a cop out to put them both on the same line, but given how Wisconsin plays, they are both going to be in the top ten anyway.
SUMMARY: Michigan State and Wisconsin are going to pound the rock, with the Spartans perhaps having the most potent offensive attack this year, replacing Wisconsin, due to the edge at quarterback. Marcus Coker has a chance to establish himself in the Big Ten hierarchy for the next few years with a solid 2011 and he looks like he will have that chance...Someone will likely emerge as the bell cow back at Michigan and I am very interested to see what kind of offense they employ this year in a pro-style attack (allegedly) with Denard Robinson at quarterback. Burkhead is not Helu, Jr, but he could fit well in this league. This position lacks a lot of star power in this league right now, but many of the names that will be atop the league rushing standings will be around in 2012.
Best of the B1G: Quarterbacks
It has been a while since I looked back at last year's Big Ten statistics, so there have been a few surprises for me.
The first such reminder was that two of the Big Ten's top rushers from 2010 were quarterbacks including the leading ground gainer, and only one Big Ten running back averaged more than 100 yards per game. Of the remaining eight players that are running backs, gone are Mikel Leshoure (Illinois), Adam Robinson (Iowa), John Clay (Wisconsin) and Evan Royster (Penn State). That leaves Michigan State's Edwin Baker (4th), Ohio State's Dan Herron and Wisconsin's James White (7th) and Monte Ball (8th) as the three players returning among the top ten leading rushers from 2010 in the Big Ten.
Clay and White were 1,000 yard carriers for Wisconsin where Ball had 996. Royster is Penn State's all time leading rusher and Robinson did a lot of dirty work for the Hawkeyes. Herron will sit out the first five games this year due to a suspension...so I guess that makes for an interesting Best of the B1G rundown...
12. Mike Trumpy, Northwestern: He gained 530 yards on 116 carries last year. This is where I would throw in the adjective 'workmanlike' to describe a player's game. Trumpy is that, and he is not flashy. The Cats need him to be much better this year or for someone else to step up and help bolster this running game that has produced some quality Big Ten performers through the years. I just don't think Trumpy is that guy.
11. Purdue Mix: Ralph Bolden injured his ACL last spring, a huge loss for Purdue. He is still rehabbing that injury and who knows if he will return to his pre-injury form and when. They have a Juco transfer in Akeem Shavers along with unproven Reggie Pegram. By the time September rolls around, Bolden will be nearly 18 months recovered from that knee, certainly within the window to make a complete recovery from an ACL. However, when dealing with running backs or any player, the mental healing is impossible to tell. However, a 75% Bolden is not too shabby and there is a lot of room for Purdue to improve at this position.
10. Michigan Mix: There are five running backs in competition for the 'starting position'. Brady Hoke would like to return the Wolverines to more of a power running attack. That would seem to leave last year's leading rusher not named Denard Robinson Vincent Smith the unlikely candidate to be the bell cow, as he is under 200-pounds and more of a speed player. Mike Cox did well in the spring game and 6-0/227 pound Stephen Hopkins can mash it. This one is going to go down to the wire with most everyone being unproven. With so many questions marks and a new style of offense, this group is near the bottom of the Big Ten list.
9. Darius Willis, Indiana: Willis injured his patellar tendon last fall and wasn't able to put up many stats. As a freshman, he gained 607 yards on 123 carries and had a nice burst. He will miss the season opener due to a disciplinary suspension.
8. DeLeon Eskridge, Minnesota: He put up 698 yards on 193 carries last year for the Gophers, who didn't have the world's best offensive line. He's a slippery back capable of carrying the mail, but Minnesota was certainly a pass first team one year ago with Adam Weber playing out his career.
7. Silas Redd, Penn State: The 5-10/200 Redd had close to 80 carries last year and tallied 437 yards or 5.7 per tote. Royster averaged just 4.9 yards per carry last season on 208 carries. That's not a lot of carries for a featured back, meaning Royster had used up too much tread on his tires or Redd has some lightning to him. Penn State fans are excited about his future, to be sure.
6. Marcus Coker, Iowa: Coker had 622 yards on 114 carries for a solid 5.5 yards per carry average. In the four games he started for Iowa, including the Ohio State game where he started and played the entire first quarter and then sparingly after that due to Adam Robinson's return, he 85 carries for 508 yards for 5.97 yards per carry. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry against the Buckeyes and 6.6 per carry against Missouri in the Insight Bowl on 33 carries for 219 yards. He has a bright future and will be running behind a very good offensive line this year. He has the size to handle 25 carries per game and he'll have every chance to be THE featured back this year for Iowa.
5. Jason Ford, Illinois: He has close to 1400 career rushing yards and 2011 will be his third season carrying the ball for Illinois but his first as the featured back. He had 99 carries for 480 yards last year, an average of 4.8. He's 6-1/235 so he can handle the inside plays. He should have a shot at 300 carries in Illinois run option attack; Leshoure had 281 a year ago for a school record 1697 yards. He had verbally committed to Iowa before changing his commitment to Illinois.
4. Rex Burkhead, Nebraska: He put up 172 carries for 951 yards last year as the change of pace back for the Cornhuskers. Roy Helu, Jr was the faster, more game breaking back where Burkhead is a patient runner, waiting for the hole to open and then turning upfield. He's not going to set any stop watch records, but he is a dependable masher helping the Cornhuskers come into a league that likes to grind the meat.
3. Edwin Baker, Michigan State: He put up 1201 yards on 207 carries last year as the featured back, but he wasn't the only back. Le'Veon Bell ran for 605 yards on 107 carries. Baker's average per carry was 5.8 while Bell's was 5.7. Baker had a long run of 80 yards with Bell a long run of 75, Baker had 13 touchdowns and Bell had 8. Baker only had three catches out of the backfield, as he is a one dimensional threat. Throw Larry Caper into the mix as well and you have a formidable running attack. One could argue the Spartans have the most talented backfield in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation.
2. Dan Herron, Ohio State: 'Boom' as he is called ranked for 1155 on 216 carries last year (5.3/ypc) and scored 16 touchdowns. He is powerful but also has a speed burst through the hole, and he'll be behind a good offensive line in 2011...that is, once he sees the field. Herron is part of the Tattoo Five who will sit out the first five games of the 2011 season, which includes one Big Ten game. He'll have a chance to make up for lost time starting game six at Nebraska and should still be among the rushing leaders for Big Ten games next year.
1. James White/Monte Ball, Wisconsin: After the season each player had last year, and given Wisconsin's penchant for wanting to pound the rock plus their total uncertainty at quarterback, you can expect each of these players to split time and still get at least 15 carries per game apiece. White had 156 carries for 1,052 yards, Clay 187 carries for 1012 yards and Ball 163 carries for 996 yards last year. Heck, these two might push the 20 carries per game mark, individually, in 2011. White had 14 touchdowns to Ball's 18 and White averaged 6.7 yards per carry to Ball's 6.1. White is the speedster on the group. I realize it may seem a cop out to put them both on the same line, but given how Wisconsin plays, they are both going to be in the top ten anyway.
SUMMARY: Michigan State and Wisconsin are going to pound the rock, with the Spartans perhaps having the most potent offensive attack this year, replacing Wisconsin, due to the edge at quarterback. Marcus Coker has a chance to establish himself in the Big Ten hierarchy for the next few years with a solid 2011 and he looks like he will have that chance...Someone will likely emerge as the bell cow back at Michigan and I am very interested to see what kind of offense they employ this year in a pro-style attack (allegedly) with Denard Robinson at quarterback. Burkhead is not Helu, Jr, but he could fit well in this league. This position lacks a lot of star power in this league right now, but many of the names that will be atop the league rushing standings will be around in 2012.
Best of the B1G: Quarterbacks
