Pretty good story angle by ESPN.com:
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/120550/projecting-the-1000-yard-rushers-in-the-big-ten
Projecting the Big Ten's 1,000-yard rushers
They rundown the list of players who have already had a 1,000-yard season in their careers and project who will be the next to do so:
Interesting that Indiana has a RB transferring in from UAB who may have a good chance to take advantage of the wide gaps and open running space that Tevin Coleman exploited last year. Interesting that Indiana was able to recruit a big-time transfer based on recent individual success in the ground game. That's progress for Indiana. They need a QB to stay healthy. Then they need to figure out a way to develop a defense.
Anyway, here's the rundown, with MSU checking in at No. 2, and Michigan (for a change) not getting advance credit for something it hasn't yet accomplished:
We all know that 2014 was the year of the running back in the Big Ten. Two players (Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Indiana's Tevin Coleman) ran for more than 2,000 yards, and five more players exceeded 1,000 yards on the season.
The 2,000-yard plateau is rarely achieved, but the 1K mark is widely viewed as the benchmark for excellence by a tailback. Based on statistics from recent years, somewhere between six and eight players are likely to get to 1,000 yards this season. But who will they be?
Assuming good health and fortune, three players looks like locks in 2015. Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott ran for 1,878 yards last season while playing in 15 games. Northwestern's Justin Jackson had 1,187 yards as a true freshman and should have more opportunities early in the season as a sophomore. Wisconsin's Corey Clement fell just 51 yards shy of 1,000 yards last year as Gordon's understudy; with Gordon off to the NFL, the starting job belongs to Clement, and he should continue the Badgers' string of highly productive runners.
Who could join them in the 1,000-yard club? Here's a list of candidates in order of the most likely.
Jordan Howard, Indiana: Howard ran for 1,587 yards last season at UAB before transferring to the Hoosiers. It's a big step up from Conference USA to the Big Ten, but Howard will also benefit from running behind Indiana's still underrated offensive line. He's not as electric as Coleman -- few are -- but he should excel.
2. TBA, Michigan State: The Spartans have established a recent legacy of 1,000-yard backs, stretching from Edwin Baker to Le'Veon Bell to Jeremy Langford. The position, though, is a question mark heading into fall camp.Gerald Holmes and Madre London led the way after spring but incoming freshman LJ Scott is lurking and Delton Williams' status remains nebulous after a suspension. Mark Dantonio has leaned heavily on one featured back the past few seasons, so a standout could emerge here -- and have the good fortune to work behind an outstanding offensive line.
3. Braxton Miller, Ohio State: No one else in the league has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt already like Miller does (in 2012 and 2013). Then again, we're still not sure what Miller's role will be in the Buckeyes' offense this season. We do know that Ohio State has many more offensive weapons than it had when Miller was last the starting quarterback, which means he probably won't carry the ball anywhere near the 227 attempts he got in 2012, or even the 171 in 2013. Still, he belongs high on this list out of respect for past performances.
4. Akeel Lynch, Penn State: The senior separated himself as the main man in the Nittany Lions backfield last year, finishing with 678 yards on 147 carries. With Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak graduated, Lynch has the starting job all to himself. More opportunities and what Penn State hopes is a better offensive line could contribute to a spike in his numbers.
5. Rodrick Williams, Minnesota: The senior had only 118 rushing yards in 2014. So why is he on this list? Because he emerged in the spring as potentially the Gophers' top option in the backfield, and we know Jerry Kill's team is going to run, run, run the ball. With David Cobb and his 1,675 yards gone, someone must fill the void. Williams could be that guy.
6. Paul James, Rutgers: The big question here, of course, is health. James was on pace for well over 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons before knee injuries cut short his campaigns. He has to show he is back to 100 percent this fall and hold off challengers to the job like Josh Hicks and Robert Martin. But if James could ever be full-speed for 12 or 13 games, his numbers could be impressive.
7. Jordan Canzieri, Iowa: The senior had 494 yards in 11 games last year (4.8 ypc) but could be in line for a bigger role with Mark Weisman gone. He andLeShun Daniels were listed as the co-starters in the spring. The Hawkeyes will need to improve their pedestrian 4.1 yard-per-carry mark as a team.
8. Imani Cross, Nebraska: The Huskers are used to 1,000-yard rushers, andAmeer Abdullah would likely have gained 2,000 yards last year if not for some injuries. But Abdullah's absence leaves a big void. Cross is the leading returning rusher after going for just 397 yards last season, though he did average a healthy 5.1 yards per carry. He'll have to hold off other challengers, including Terrell Newby and some youngsters.
9. TBA, Michigan: Can Jim Harbaugh's power offense lead to a breakout season from one of the Wolverines' tailbacks, who have been mostly underwhelming the past couple of years? Harbaugh has some big bodies inDerrick Green, De'Veon Smith and USC transfer Ty Isaac. It remains to be seen whether one of them can seize the job and churn out 1,000 yards, which would be almost twice what Smith produced as Michigan's leading rusher a year ago.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/id/120550/projecting-the-1000-yard-rushers-in-the-big-ten
Projecting the Big Ten's 1,000-yard rushers
They rundown the list of players who have already had a 1,000-yard season in their careers and project who will be the next to do so:
Interesting that Indiana has a RB transferring in from UAB who may have a good chance to take advantage of the wide gaps and open running space that Tevin Coleman exploited last year. Interesting that Indiana was able to recruit a big-time transfer based on recent individual success in the ground game. That's progress for Indiana. They need a QB to stay healthy. Then they need to figure out a way to develop a defense.
Anyway, here's the rundown, with MSU checking in at No. 2, and Michigan (for a change) not getting advance credit for something it hasn't yet accomplished:
-
Brian Bennett, ESPN Staff Write
We all know that 2014 was the year of the running back in the Big Ten. Two players (Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Indiana's Tevin Coleman) ran for more than 2,000 yards, and five more players exceeded 1,000 yards on the season.
The 2,000-yard plateau is rarely achieved, but the 1K mark is widely viewed as the benchmark for excellence by a tailback. Based on statistics from recent years, somewhere between six and eight players are likely to get to 1,000 yards this season. But who will they be?
Assuming good health and fortune, three players looks like locks in 2015. Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott ran for 1,878 yards last season while playing in 15 games. Northwestern's Justin Jackson had 1,187 yards as a true freshman and should have more opportunities early in the season as a sophomore. Wisconsin's Corey Clement fell just 51 yards shy of 1,000 yards last year as Gordon's understudy; with Gordon off to the NFL, the starting job belongs to Clement, and he should continue the Badgers' string of highly productive runners.
Who could join them in the 1,000-yard club? Here's a list of candidates in order of the most likely.
Jordan Howard, Indiana: Howard ran for 1,587 yards last season at UAB before transferring to the Hoosiers. It's a big step up from Conference USA to the Big Ten, but Howard will also benefit from running behind Indiana's still underrated offensive line. He's not as electric as Coleman -- few are -- but he should excel.
2. TBA, Michigan State: The Spartans have established a recent legacy of 1,000-yard backs, stretching from Edwin Baker to Le'Veon Bell to Jeremy Langford. The position, though, is a question mark heading into fall camp.Gerald Holmes and Madre London led the way after spring but incoming freshman LJ Scott is lurking and Delton Williams' status remains nebulous after a suspension. Mark Dantonio has leaned heavily on one featured back the past few seasons, so a standout could emerge here -- and have the good fortune to work behind an outstanding offensive line.
3. Braxton Miller, Ohio State: No one else in the league has two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt already like Miller does (in 2012 and 2013). Then again, we're still not sure what Miller's role will be in the Buckeyes' offense this season. We do know that Ohio State has many more offensive weapons than it had when Miller was last the starting quarterback, which means he probably won't carry the ball anywhere near the 227 attempts he got in 2012, or even the 171 in 2013. Still, he belongs high on this list out of respect for past performances.
4. Akeel Lynch, Penn State: The senior separated himself as the main man in the Nittany Lions backfield last year, finishing with 678 yards on 147 carries. With Bill Belton and Zach Zwinak graduated, Lynch has the starting job all to himself. More opportunities and what Penn State hopes is a better offensive line could contribute to a spike in his numbers.
5. Rodrick Williams, Minnesota: The senior had only 118 rushing yards in 2014. So why is he on this list? Because he emerged in the spring as potentially the Gophers' top option in the backfield, and we know Jerry Kill's team is going to run, run, run the ball. With David Cobb and his 1,675 yards gone, someone must fill the void. Williams could be that guy.
6. Paul James, Rutgers: The big question here, of course, is health. James was on pace for well over 1,000 yards each of the past two seasons before knee injuries cut short his campaigns. He has to show he is back to 100 percent this fall and hold off challengers to the job like Josh Hicks and Robert Martin. But if James could ever be full-speed for 12 or 13 games, his numbers could be impressive.
7. Jordan Canzieri, Iowa: The senior had 494 yards in 11 games last year (4.8 ypc) but could be in line for a bigger role with Mark Weisman gone. He andLeShun Daniels were listed as the co-starters in the spring. The Hawkeyes will need to improve their pedestrian 4.1 yard-per-carry mark as a team.
8. Imani Cross, Nebraska: The Huskers are used to 1,000-yard rushers, andAmeer Abdullah would likely have gained 2,000 yards last year if not for some injuries. But Abdullah's absence leaves a big void. Cross is the leading returning rusher after going for just 397 yards last season, though he did average a healthy 5.1 yards per carry. He'll have to hold off other challengers, including Terrell Newby and some youngsters.
9. TBA, Michigan: Can Jim Harbaugh's power offense lead to a breakout season from one of the Wolverines' tailbacks, who have been mostly underwhelming the past couple of years? Harbaugh has some big bodies inDerrick Green, De'Veon Smith and USC transfer Ty Isaac. It remains to be seen whether one of them can seize the job and churn out 1,000 yards, which would be almost twice what Smith produced as Michigan's leading rusher a year ago.
