tOSU a top 3 backfield?

[Cornerback6]

Taking into consideration RB's only, would you agree that we have a top 3 backfield in the nation? Due to one proven stud RB (Pittman) and an abundance of quality depth (Wells, Wells, Haw will get their yards on opponents) I can't think of any other school that has better odds at a top 3 backfield besides Texas because of Charles/Taylor/Young. I would have to really sit down and put some ideas together as no one else truly stands out.

If you take QB into account, I think we have the nation's best backfield hands down.

What are your thoughts?

[Pheasant]

We definitely could have a top 3 backfield, but until we have another proven running back besides Pittman I don't feel too comfortable proclaiming them to be among the best in the nation....hopefully after the Texas game it will shape up that way, though.

[scooter1369]

I think it has the potential to be one of the best in the nation. But if the line doesn't perform, the point is moot. C. Wells, Johnson, Mo Wells, Olsen and Haw all have the potential to be great playmakers for us. Our only proven commodity is Pittman. Until two more step up and make the nation take notice, we aren't there yet.

[osugrad21]

Others to consider...

WVU
Texas
Georgia
Tennessee
Michigan
Clemson

[Cornerback6]

Wells/Wells/Haw may not be proven during games just yet, but who else DOES have three, four proven RBs that puts them ahead of us? I think that the consensus understanding is that of those 3, one of them is highly likely to take the torch as proven RB from Pittman.

[Cornerback6]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Others to consider...

WVU
Texas
Georgia
Tennessee
Michigan
Clemson

Grad, I can definitely see Georgia and Texas...maybe WVU if you forget about who they play. Tennessee I am not sold on and Clemson I don't know enough about. If Hart can run like he did as a freshman (I still think a lot of his success was due to Braylon), then I would agree with you that they contend.

Anyone else?

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by Cornerback6

but who else DOES have three, four proven RBs that puts them ahead of us?

Georgia

[scarletngrey11]

I think Cal deserves to be in this discussion.

Marshawn Lynch(Jr) averaged 6.4 yards a carry for 10 touchdowns and 1246 yards, while sharing significant time with Justin Forsett(Jr) whom averaged 7.6 yards a carry for 6 touchdowns and 999 yards.

[Cornerback6]

Ware and Brown have both had success for Georgia last season and Lumpkin did well with few carries, but we'll see how they compare to us at the end of the season. Barring injury, I could see a carry breakdown like this.

Pittman - 200
Smith - 125
C.Wells - 100
M. Wells - 75?
Haw - 50?

I realize that 550 carries sounds like a lot, but it is actually very close to last year's total and I expect us to jump on people early and grind a lot of these games out.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by Cornerback6

Grad, I can definitely see Georgia and Texas...maybe WVU if you forget about who they play. Tennessee I am not sold on and Clemson I don't know enough about. If Hart can run like he did as a freshman (I still think a lot of his success was due to Braylon), then I would agree with you that they contend.

WVU's backfield looked bad this spring, but I expect Coach Rod to have them rolling again this season. Rodriguez is an excellent gameplanner and schemes opponents as well as anyone. Slaton and White are both dangerous in the open field...and they were both just pups last year.

Clemson has a proven returner in ACC Freshman of the Year James Davis, a bowling ball in Reggie Merriweather, and CJ SPiller is coming to town.

Tennessee is loaded with potential....again. Will it emerge is another topic.

Michigan is loaded in the backfield...Hart, Grady, Brown will see some time...

[Cornerback6]

Originally Posted by scarletngrey77

I think Cal deserves to be in this discussion.

Marshawn Lynch(Jr) averaged 6.4 yards a carry for 10 touchdowns and 1246 yards, while sharing significant time with Justin Forsett(Jr) whom averaged 7.6 yards a carry for 6 touchdowns and 999 yards.

Nice addition sg77. I would definitely put Cal straight into the top 10. Of course look what conference's D they're playing against, but at some point you have to just say...those are good backs. Nice call.


How do you all see the carries breakdown for the upcoming season? Hard to guess...but worth a shot.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

WVU's backfield looked bad this spring, but I expect Coach Rod to have them rolling again this season. Rodriguez is an excellent gameplanner and schemes opponents as well as anyone. Slaton and White are both dangerous in the open field...and they were both just pups last year.

A little off topic, but at some point the "general public" of college football fans will come to realize that Rodriguez is an excellent football coach. I hate to admit it, since I can't stand WVU, but the guy has put together a very solid game down there in Morgantown - even in spite of the Big Least competition - and he's "proven" it over the course of a couple years (that is, it's not a "one hit wonder" situation). The Sugar against UGA sealed it for me. They should have been smoked, but no....

And on the Cal issue -
Cal has had a 1,000 yard back every year since Tedford took over

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by Cornerback6

Lumpkin did well with few carries,

He is back to 100%...and he is a stud. I exchanged some clinic materials that included some cut-ups of UGA's spring...Lumpkin is a beast and look for Stafford to steal that starting QB spot.

[High Lonesome]

As much as I hate to say it, Oklahoma must be in this discussion. Peterson alone puts them there, but beyond that they have a couple of backups they are very excited about

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by High Lonesome

As much as I hate to say it, Oklahoma must be in this discussion. Peterson alone puts them there, but beyond that they have a couple of backups they are very excited about

Not nearly as excited as I am about your sig.