Friday, June 08, 2007

They Won't Be Running It Up in the Big 12

Ahman Green (Nebraska), Ricky Williams (Texas) and Priest Holmes (Texas). In 2003, the NFL's Pro Bowl featured three running backs from the Big 12.

But with Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson gone to the NFL, the conference's seemingly endless supply of exceptional runners has come to an end.

Dave Matter of the Columbia Tribune takes a look at the top backs left in the league, which is undergoing change because of the popularity of the spread offense among conference teams.

Oklahoma's Allen Patrick, above right, is among a select few who can change a game with their running style. Surprisingly, only five returning Big 12 backs have logged 1,000 yards for their career.

1 comment:

Brad said...

Come on Wiz, i know you're a stat guy so you can't help it, but just because there's a drought of individual 1,000yd rushers doesn't mean the entire conference has traded in good ol fashioned run for the post route.

Look at Texas A&M, one of the best rushing teams in the country, but it's spread over 3 players: Goodson, Lane, and McGee.