While wide-open, pass-happy offenses have taken over as college football has evolved throughout the last decade, nothing works better than a good old-fashioned rushing attack, even if it is within a new-school look. Running back rooms around the country are loaded with talent from top to bottom. That top-end talent combined with depth can transform teams that are considered national title long-shots into national contenders.
Just look back to TCU last season. The Horned Frogs made a miraculous run to the College Football Playoff National Championship thanks in large part to 1,399 yards rushing from star back Kendre Miller. Meanwhile, Chase Brown led Illinois into relevancy as he rushed for 1,643 yards.
This year features another crop of amazing running backs looking to lead their teams to championship glory. Michigan has made the CFP in each of the last two seasons, and has a couple of stars back in the hopes of not only making it three in a row but also topping rival Ohio State for the third straight season. Speaking of Ohio State, the Buckeyes have the talent to follow the same blueprint with a stable of studs returning for coach Ryan Day to use out of the backfield in the hopes of unseating the mighty Wolverines.
It isn’t just the Big Ten, though. SEC teams, as well as others from around the nation, are ready to play ground-and-pound football during the upcoming season. So which running back rooms are the best heading into the 2023 season? Let’s break them down.
1. Michigan
This is a no-brainer. Blake Corum was not only one of the best running backs in the country prior to the knee injury that he suffered during a win over Illinois last November, but he was also in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race. Corum finished the season ranked third…
..
