Complete Bowl Rankings & Projections l More Sit & Starts
While I hate the BCS, I do love bowl season. To me it is a gloriously long but awesome non-conference schedule that has helped me get through more than one incredibly boring family gathering.
I love the chance to see guys play that you would normally never see and to see how theoretical match ups would play out on the gridiron.
Of all the positions that take the field every Saturday, I am personally partial to running backs. Unlike the NFL, college football still has ball carriers who are the focal points of the offense and workhorses who will carry their team.
Now let's take a look at some of the best running back match ups and some guys who may struggle during the holiday season.
Start Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Terrance Ganaway, Baylor vs. Washington
Anytime a team tries to slow down Robert Griffin (which they never seem to do) it always leaves running lanes wide open for the bruising Ganaway. You had better believe that the Huskies are gameplanning on stopping the reigning Heisman winner which may leave Ganaway an afterthought. Oh and add to the fact that he is bigger than all three of Washington's starting linebackers means he should pummel through to the end zone once or twice.
Chris Polk, Washington vs. Baylor
Polk seemed to lose some spotlight near the end of the season as he struggled without a healthy Keith Price joining him in the backfield. However, the redshirt junior finished with two 100-yard performances. With the time to rest himself and for Price to get healthy, Polk should ravage the fleshy defense of the Baylor Bears. Last season Polk brutalized the Cornhuskers to the tune of 177 yards so I would not be surprised if he flirted with that mark in the Alamo Bowl.
Silas Redd, Penn State vs. Houston
Houston looked awfully good this season and almost went undefeated but the number one lesson you learn from bowl season is the relativity of conferences. This is the phenomenon that happens when a team from a weak conference faces a team from a tough conference and all of a sudden a bad offense looks a lot better or a solid 'D' plays like a sieve. The Nittany Lions offense looks terrible but it will look extra shiny against a Conferense USA defense. For example, the only BCS level running back that the Cougars faced all season was UCLA's Johnathan Franklin who rushed for 128 yards and a score on just 16 carries. The bad news for Cougar fans is that Redd is a better running back on a better team and should see about 50% more carries. Look for Redd to go for around 150 yards and a score in this contest.
Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State vs. Stanford
This is a good old school vs. new school match up that pits the slippery Randle against a big front seven from the Cardinal. Stanford's rush 'D' was among the nation's best all season but when they faced quality backs, they bent a quite a bit. Chris Polk rolled up 144 yards and two scores. LaMichael James, who Randle is more similar to both in style and their offense, fared even better with 146 yards and three scores against the boys from the Farm. The Okie State offense has too many weapons for Stanford to key on slowing down Randle so when he gets his chance, he is certain to make the most of it. I would not be surprised if he goes for 120 yards and at least two scores in what will be one of the more exciting bowl games this season.
Vick Ballard, Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest
Call it a hunch but I see Ballard's swan song as a Bulldog having him churn up turf against a Demon Deacon squad surrendering over 160 ground yards a game. Mississippi State's offense is a shadow of its former self but with the time off to get healthy and the extra practices, Ballard is sure to put reach the century mark one last time.
All-120
Bernard Pierce, Temple vs. Wyoming
If the Owls wrote a note and slid it across the table telling the Cowboys when and where they would run, they still wouldn't slow down the freight train that is Pierce. Looking at their schedule you will notice that they surrendered over 100 yards to Doug Martin, Ronnie Hillman, Rex Burkhead, Robert Turbin, both Waymon James and Ed Wesley from the Horned Frogs, and even UNLV's Dionza Bradford. Now you may say "well Temple can't throw the ball worth a lick" and you would be right. However, look at the game against Colorado State. The Rams mustered 143 passing yards and three interceptions behind freshman Garrett Grayson but the backup to Chris Nwoke, Raymond Carter, ran for 158 yards and two scores. Pierce may not reach five touchdowns like he did against Maryland but he should be a lock for three scores.
Robert Turbin, Utah State vs. Ohio
Statistically speaking this may not seem like the most advantageous match up for Turbin and the Aggies' ground game with the Bobcats giving up just under 130 yards a game. However, Ohio has not seen many top tier backs during their MAC schedule. When they did, the opposing rusher was able to torch Solich and Co. for some considerable yardage. Buffalo's Branden Oliver ran roughshod for 179 yards and three scores while Bernard Pierce went for 84 yards and a touchdown. Turbin is a dangerous blend of speed, size, and pass-catching ability which means he will get his at some point throughout the game. Turbin is good for at least one long scoring run so go ahead and pencil him in for 150 total yards and two trips to the end zone.
Ronnie Hillman, San Diego State vs. Louisiana
Here is a quiz: Who are the only two running backs this year to run for 140+ yards in seven games? If you guessed LaMichael James, you would be correct. The second one? Must be Montee Ball, right? Maybe David Wilson or Bobby Rainey? No, folks it is the LMJ of the Mountain West. Hillman can break the long run but is stout enough to have averaged 24 carries per game. The game is in the Ragin' Cajuns backyard but with the balance of the Aztec offense and the fact tat nobody seems to be able to slow down Hillman, he is in for a very productive day.
Sit Em! Running Backs
BCS-Only
Jawan Jamison, Rutgers vs. Iowa State
It is somewhat hard for me to put Jamison in this category as he looks and plays like the second coming of Ray Rice. The guy's legs never stop churning and he is thick enough to tote the rock into the 30s. However, Rutgers' passing game won't scare the Cyclones which will allow them to key on stopping the run.
Cameron Marshall, Arizona State vs. Boise State
I like Marshall but not in this game. Here is what will play out, causing Marshall to struggle. First, the Broncos will pass at will on the porous Sun Devil secondary. The score will get out of hand which will leave Brock Osweiler slinging the ball to stay in the game. Add to the fact that the Broncos have a very deep defensive line rotation and you have the makings of a long day for the Tempe tailback.
Isi Sofele, California vs. Texas
Sofele is getting some time to heal up, but he will face a Texas defense that is long, athletic, and despite the team's overall struggles is still very stout against the run. The offense for the Golden Bears will run between Zach Maynard and Keenan Allen with Sofele providing just enough offense to keep the Longhorns honest but not enough to merit starting him in any league.
All-120
TCU running backs vs. Louisiana Tech
It is hard to play any Horned Frog rusher since Ed Wesley, Waymon James, and Matthew Tucker all have over 100 carries on the year, with Tucker topping off the crowd with just 117 carries. Factor in that the Bulldogs are giving up just a hair over 120 yards a game and you have a game that will be played through the air.
Houston running backs vs. Penn State
The Houston offense will get its yards but they will not be on the ground against the Nittany Lions. Defensive tackle Devon Still will discourage rushing between the tackles before he even steps off the plane which leaves Michael Hayes and Charles Sims trying to get wide. Sims is dangerous on the perimeter and in the passing game but Penn State's linebackers and safeties are too disciplined to let them get far.
Good luck and Happy Holidays!