Breaking It Down: Big 12 Running Back Position Rankings
by ccmachine on Jul 15, 2011 1:06 AM CDT
in Oklahoma Sooners Football
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PrintAs we keep rolling through the Big 12 skill positions we've reached the third and final part of the "Three Headed Monster." Turnover seems to be the key phrase when describing the conference running backs as OU, OSU, Texas Tech, Baylor, Iowa State and Kansas State are all replacing their marquee guys from 2010.
While I was able to make arguments for Oklahoma to be atop the quarterback and receiver/tight end rankings but there's no argument to be made for the best set of running backs in the conference. Its clear cut...but its just not Oklahoma.
1. Texas A&M - Not only are the Aggies experienced and deep at running back but they're also talented. Christine Michael was averaging 5.0 yards per carry before a season ending injury and Cyrus Gray rushed for 1,133 yards on a 5.7 yards per carry average. They're both back, healthy and ready to become the top rushing duo in the conference. Again, not just looking at potential but by actual productivity Texas A&M tops the list.
2. Oklahoma - DeMarco Murray is gone but Oklahoma has been building a talented stable of backs behind him. We saw a glimpse of Roy Finch last season while he averaged 4.7 yards per carry as a true freshman, Jonathan Miller sat out as a redshirt in 2010 but averaged 7.2 yards per carry in spot duty as a freshman in 2009. Brennan Clay had an impressive spring and true freshman Brandon Williams is drawing more praise than any Oklahoma freshman running back since Adrian Peterson.
3. Missouri - Led by De'Vion Moore the Tigers have four experienced backs that averaged more than five yards per carry. Moore led the team with 99 carries but Kendial Lawrence was just behind him with 73 carries but averaged 5.8 yards per carry as opposed to Moore's 5.2. Henry Josie also averaged 5.8 yards per carry on 76 carries Marcus Murphy averaged 8.2 yards per carry on just 22 touches.
4. Oklahoma State - Much like the Sooners the Cowboys lost their top rusher to the NFL but also like the Sooners they'll be just fine. Sophomores Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith played exceptional last year averaging 5.5 and 4.7 yards respectively. The Cowboys aren't as deep as Oklahoma and Missouri but their top two can run with anyone in the conference.
5. Kansas - James Sims is the Big 12's second leading rusher after going off for 742 yards on 168 carries. Darrian Miller had a strong spring and looks to see some time this fall alongside Sims.
6. Texas Tech - Eric Stephens takes over as the feature back in Tommy Tuberville's new "balanced" attack. This should equate to more carries than any Red Raider rusher has seen in a while. Stephens is more than capable of handling the load after rushing for an average of 5.3 yards per carry over 127 attempts. The question mark to Texas Tech is behind Stephens where there is a lack of experience.
7. Baylor - Terrance Ganaway is a big back who rumbled his way to a 6.4 yards per carry average in 2010. He'll share the field with Jarred Salubi who only managed to get 26 carries last season but averaged 8.3 yards per carry.
8. Texas - We've seen Cody Johnson and Fozzy Whittaker for years now and can attest to their ineffectiveness. Unfortunately for the Longhorns Johnson and Whittaker are the returning leading rushers with no one behind them with significant experience. Thus all hopes are being thrown on true freshman Malcolm Brown who has already been tabbed as the savior of the Texas rushing attack. Can the Longhorns move up this list? Absolutely, if Brown is able to live up to the hype. Should they be ranked higher right now? No.
9. Iowa State - Shontrelle Johnson only has 35 career carries but the Cyclones are banking more on his 6.2 yards per carry average more than they are his experience.
10. Kansas State - The only problem with having a two-time conference rushing leader is that when he's gone there's no experience behind him. The Wildcats are hoping that Bryce Brown can step into Daniel Thomas' shoes and carry the team. Currently John Hubert is the leading rusher with 28 yards on 12 carries.
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KSU's RB
Snyder will have a good RB and a good running game. He always does. I am amazed at how much Big 12 people discount Snyder, as if he never built up KSU in the first place. He is improving their program once again, it is just not suddenly so casual observers aren’t noticing.
Mizzou and KU are probably too high. Mizzou’s passing game looks to take a huge step back this season, which will hurt their RBs.
I fully understand Tech’s positioning but I think a lot of people will be surprised by the run game this year. We won’t run it more, but we’ll be a lot better at it when we do. I
I think you are probably right about KSU
Snyder does a good job and will probably have a decent running attack. Your point about MU is also well founded. I would have put Okie Lite in MU’s spot with their passing game from last year still in tact and creating opportunities for the run game.
these rankings are subjective
but he’s also basing a lot of it on returning stats and production as well. In that aspect K-state is really hurting.
As for Snyder, I think he was old, and crusty and the game was passing him by a little before he left the first time. I have a hard time seeing how he can get K-state back now. He was a good coach, and good developer of over-looked talent, and I think he still is, but not sure he’s what he once was.
Sadly enough, based on last years production, you could actually make a case for Texas to be lower. Hopefully we have begun the process of righting the ship by doing away with Davis and McWhorter and bringing in guys like Bennie Wylie and Stacy Searles. A new attitude along our line will go a long way in helping out the run game. IF Malcolm Brown comes in and even lives up to a little bit of the expectations, we will be OK. Another kid I’m excited about is Joe Bergeron. By all accounts he is a blue collar type that works hard every day. If our run game succeeds this year, it will be because these guys were given a chance early in the year and not held back until after the OU game.
It sure makes you scratch your head. Where has the run game gone?
by OU JJ on Jul 15, 2011 9:08 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I really think this is one of the things where several things had to happen
all at the same time and they did:
1) O-line talent evaulation/development -By many accounts McWhorter was lazy in recruiting and just took the in-state guys who he knew wanted an offer. We have really changed this approach this year with the addition of Searels who seems like a tireless recruiter. We missed out on Theus (who just committed to Georgia), but at least we are making the attempt to evaluate guys we might actually have to recruit to the 40. Andrus Peat is scheduled to be in Austin next week and would be a major coup if we can get him away from ND/NEB. As an aside, Peat has ~30 offers and you guys are not included. Are you guys full at OT or just have other guys on the radar?
2)RB evaluation-This one really needs no explanation at all. Making Whaley the only take in 2009 and passing on a guy like Christine Michael was a huge mistake. He hasn’t been able to keep his weight down since he stepped on campus and his desire to play RB has really delayed his development at DL. Traylon Shead is another guy that will fall into this same category with Whaley if he doesn’t contribute in the next couple of years. Hopefully we have gotten the last two right with Brown and Gray, but you can’t be sure until they strap it on.
3) Play calling-We haven’t been a “3 yards and a cloud of dust” type of team in a long time, but sometimes last year it felt as if the OC didn’t get the memo. I believe it was the Rice game last year that we were down on the goal line and ran straight into the line 3 consecutive times and it was stuffed every time. We have plenty of guys who can make plays in space, but it didn’t seem like we knew how to get them the ball in that situation.
If point #1 is an issue, point #3 doesn’t matter.
It doesn’t matter what play you call if your OL can’t block.
somebody better tell
Texas fan and Malcolm Brown that!
"You see we got another championship banner up? It’s not a South Division one, either." Bob Stoops
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
So your saying that if my O-line is weak that I should just run straight into the line 3 times and punt?
well it beats the heck out of
yet another Gilly INT don’t it?
"You see we got another championship banner up? It’s not a South Division one, either." Bob Stoops
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
Fair enough
Especially since that’s probably where Gilly will be about midseason.
"You see we got another championship banner up? It’s not a South Division one, either." Bob Stoops
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
Texas tech will not be a factor in the big 12 this year
I see myself as an entertainer and an Icon. Oh and C finnegan can go fuck himself
by AllenOU on Jul 16, 2011 12:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah, firing Leach has really come back to bite them
by King Sam Rules! on Jul 16, 2011 2:30 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
You read my mind... Although I bet Tech doesn't hit
Above .500 in conference.
by OU JJ on Jul 16, 2011 11:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
In fact I bet they lose to Baylor this year.
by OU JJ on Jul 16, 2011 11:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Commenting with “not likely” is hardly getting all riled up.
" Answers --Become Resources."
Without Questions, There are limited Resources...
My bad... Expecting a more Aggy like reaction.
I just meant, I can see it happening, to keep tech <500. Not in a talking smack prickish mind set.
by OU JJ on Jul 17, 2011 10:49 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
jonathon miller
it is good to hear jonathon miller mentioned in the column. except for me, i didn’t think anybody had any regard for him. he is mostly left out when pundits talk about sooner running backs. for example, one the the daily oklahomans writers totally ignored him, mentioning only finch, clay, and williams. didn’t mention calhoun either. i e’d this reporter and asked if he’d even heard of miller. his reply was " i,ve heard of him— so what? my opinion is that miller will be a great downhill , north- south runner, and will likely lead the sooners in touchdowns by running backs. probably there will be a receiver or two who will score quite a few. and speaking of calhoun, he might be the big suprise in fall camp if he is healthy. sad what has befallen the former no.1 (espn)or no. 2 (rivals, scout) back out of high school. he still has two year eligibility left. we might see a lot of that 3 back formation that the sooners used late in the year. PLEASE let this year get started!
I've thought he'd be the starter actually
"You see we got another championship banner up? It’s not a South Division one, either." Bob Stoops
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
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