2009: Top RB's in College Football

The best offensive teams in college football usually have a very good running game. A ten-point lead in the 4^th quarter is safe when a team can just hand the ball off and let the RB pick up first downs. An elite back will also open up the passing game when the defense has to put extra defenders in the box. These RB's will put up big numbers and lead their teams to a lot of wins in 2009.

1. Oklahoma Sooners DeMarrco Murray 1,002 Yards, 14 TD's and 5.6 YPC

Murray is a very explosive back and he has the ability to contribute to the Sooners passing game. Last season DeMarrco caught 31 passes for 395 yards and 4 TD's. Murray missed the last two games of last year and many Oklahoma fans believe that the Sooners would have had a better chance of beating the Florida Gators in the BCS National Championship if Murray would have suited up. DeMarrco had a monster game in a 65-21 victory over Texas Tech. In that game Murray had 18 carries, 125 yards rushing, 6.9 YPC, 4 receptions and 71 yards receiving. BYU will attempt to stop Murray when they play on September 5^th at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium.

2. California Golden Bears Jahvid Best 1,580 Yards, 15 TD's and 8.1 YPC

There is not another RB in the nation that produces more electric plays than Jahvid Best. An 8.1 YPC average is insane. In 2008 Best had two, two hundred yard games and one three hundred yard game. In the last game of the season against the Washington Huskies Jahvid had 19 carries, 311 rushing yards and he averaged 16.4 YPC. Best will have his skills on display on September 5^th when the Bears try to avenge their 2008 35-27 loss to the Maryland Terrapins.

3. BYU Cougars Harvey Unga 1,132 Yards, 11 TD's and 4.7 YPC

At 6-0 239 pounds Unga is a very bruising back with deceptive speed. In the last two seasons Unga has gained 2,368 yards with 25 TD's. BYU is known for the great players that have played QB in Provo. The numbers that Unga is putting up are more impressive, because BYU runs an offense that includes a lot of passing plays. The last two years BYU QB Max Hall has 974 passing attempts. If the Cougars pounded the ball on the ground more Unga would produce better numbers. Unga is also involved in the Cougars passing game. In his second season Harvey caught 44 passes for 655 yards and 4 TD's.

4. Oklahoma State Cowboys Kendall Hunter 1,555 Yards, 16 TD's and 6.5 YPC

Hunter will be one of the reasons the Cowboys get a lot of national attention in 2009. There has been a lot of talk lately about if the Big 12 is equal to the SEC. Oklahoma State will get a chance to prove how good the Big 12 is when Georgia travels to Stillwater on September 5^th. In a 28-24 loss to the Texas Longhorns Hunter had 161 yards rushing and 8.9 YPC. RB Kendall Hunter, QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant form one of the most high-powered offenses in the country.

5. LSU Tigers Charles Scott 1,174 Yards, 18 TD's and 5.4 YPC

Scott did a tremendous job in 2008. LSU did not have any consistency at the QB position in 2008 and Scott was still able to put up big numbers. When LSU played the Georgia Bulldogs last season Scott had 21 carries, 144 yards and 2 TD's. The 5-11 233 pound Scott and the LSU Tigers will open the 2009 season against the Washington Huskies on September 5^th. This is the same Washington defense that gave up 311 yards to Jahvid Best last season.