Top 5 rushing offenses
This is a version of an actual column that I will be posting in the newspaper I write for in August. It will be the first football article that I have published in the paper. Just thought I'd share it with you guys as well...
Top Rush Offenses
Running games don’t receive the glory any longer, thanks partly to the invention of the spread offense, unless they feature an exciting back like Reggie Bush. However, most coaching staffs in the country would still tell you that they fear a sound running game more than a passing game. At some point in the season, a team has to have the ability to get under center and pound the ball. Ball control will always be an important factor in the game of football. I ranked these teams not based on just the running backs that are in the backfield, although that was obviously an important factor. I also took into consideration the running ability of the QB and the strength of the OL. That is why Rutgers didn’t make the list, despite featuring one of the premier backs in the country in Ray Rice.
1. Texas A&M – Seeing the Aggies here will probably shock several, but I think they have a legitimate argument to be considered the top running game in the country. This is the most explosive option based running game since Erik Crouch and Tommie Frazier quarterbacked the option attack for Nebraska. Great option coaches of the past like Tom Osborne, Barry Switzer and Darrell Royal would be salivating over the trio of running threats that the Aggies boast. It starts with junior QB Stephen McGee. Despite not being as quick or elusive as great option QBs of the past like Frazier and Crouch, McGee orchestrates the more complex version of the Aggies’ option offense to near perfection. Protecting the ball is key to the option. McGee led the Aggies to one of the best turnover differentials in the nation. Surrounding McGee is the Reggie Bush of this team – Mike Goodson. He was considered the top RB recruit of the 2006 class and showed his big play speed often late in the season, including a 127-yard effort in a 1-point loss to Oklahoma. Many will argue that the West Virginia tandem of Pat White and Steve Slaton is more lethal, and it might be. That is until you throw in the Aggies third ground attack weapon – Jovorskie Lane. He is a mammoth, weighing more than 270 lbs. However, much in the Jerome Bettis mold, he has quick enough feet to scoot past defenders to compliment his freight train power. A&M finished eighth in the nation in rushing offense last season. With another year of experience for Goodson, I believe this team will be the most dangerous running threat in the nation. It’s a ground game that is good enough to possibly get head coach Dennis Franchione off of the hot season and land the Aggies a Big 12 championship. The scariest part about this trio is that they’ll be together for another season after this one.
2. West Virginia – The combination of RB Steve Slaton and QB Pat White is enough to scare the wits out of most opponents. Both players averaged over 100-yards rushing a game. As a team, the Mountaineers finished second in total rushing offense, gaining more than 300-yards a game. Slaton is a Heisman hopeful for next season, provided that the Mountaineers can have another stellar season. White could also be a threat for the Heisman trophy, if he can become a more consistent passer. Both players a merely juniors on a team expected to contend for the national title.
3. Arkansas – The “Wildcat” formation became a national phenomenon thanks to the Razorbacks’ Darren McFadden. There might not be a more exciting back in the country. In the formation created specially for him, McFadden lines up in shotgun at QB. Often times, the Hogs second RB, Felix Jones, positioned next to him. McFadden then gets to option to give the ball to Jones, take off with it himself or even throw it. Most of the time a run pursued from the formation. Teams would know it was coming, but still struggled to defend it. McFadden enters this season as the Heisman favorite behind Louisville QB Brian Brohm. Jones remains the after thought for most defenses, which is just fine with the Razorbacks. Teams forgetting about him allowed him to gain more than 80-yards a game in spot duty. The Hogs will need both backs to find frequent success again next season, especially with the questions at the QB position and the loss of several key defensive performers, including CB Chris Houston and DE Jamaal Anderson.
4. Wisconsin – At the start of last season, I made a bold prediction that won’t be played out for another three years. I predicted that RB P.J. Hill would break the NCAA career rushing yards record held by former Badger RB Ron Dayne. Hill got off to a great start in his freshman season, gaining 1,569 yards. That leaves him with just 4,875-yards to eclipse Dayne’s record, meaning Hill must average 1,625-yards over his last three college seasons. Personally, I feel like it is a legitimate possibility and will stand by my bold prediction. Hill leads a Badgers team that lost only three starters combined from last year’s squad. While they do have to replace some huge contributors – OT Joe Thomas and QB John Stocco – the Badgers have to like their chances to contend for the Big 10 title.
5. Clemson – If Jones and McFadden make up the most explosive RB combo in the nation, then the Tigers combo of James Davis and C.J. Spiller aren’t far behind. Davis found more and more of his carries being given to Spiller as the season wore on. However, while Spiller is the future star of the backfield with his game breaking speed, Davis is a steady performer, who scored 17 touchdowns last year. Like most of the teams on this list, if the Tigers could just find a consistent passing game, then they could be a national title contender. As it is, the Tigers figure to factor into the ACC title picture again this season.
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Jonathan Hull
Sports Editor
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