Football Predictions – Who Will Have The Most Rushing Yards?

You’ve got a few more days to get your football predictions in as the college football betting season kicks off on Thursday.

Here’s a preview of who will lead the nation in rushing yards.

Whereas passing yards are generally quite inflated (and therefore overvalued when it comes to football predictions) as a statistic, rushing yards possess a lot more weight and heft. Running the ball successfully is the ultimate display of football superiority.

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• Daniel Thomas +800
• DeMarco Murray +600
• Dion Lewis +500
• Evan Royster +800
• Jacquizz Rodgers +700
• John Clay +700
• Kendall Hunter +700
• LaMichael James +600
• Mark Ingram +700
• Noel Devine +600
• Roy Helu +900
• Ryan Williams +500

To gain first downs even when the opposing defense is stacking the tackle box represents the height of dominance on the gridiron. Chewing clock when the other team’s defense is desperately trying to get the ball back is a measure of total command in the sport.

Running backs who succeed even when everyone in the ballpark is expecting a running play are the truly remarkable specimens of football at any level. In many ways, then, this category really is another way of asking, “Just who is the best running back in college football for 2010?”

Daniel Thomas of Kansas State will need to prove he can run against the Nebraska Cornhuskers before being viewed as a best-of-the-best running back.

DeMarco Murray lost his 2009 season to injury, but the Oklahoma Sooner – surrounded as he is by upper-tier talent – has a chance to bust out all over in 2010 and make a strong case for a high selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Dion Lewis is, quite simply, the best sophomore running back in America. Mark Ingram of Alabama won the Heisman Trophy last year as a sophomore, but in the meantime, Lewis rolled up 1,799 yards as a Pittsburgh freshman. Lewis has a solid offensive line in front of him, and the presence of teammate Jon Baldwin in the Pitt receiving corps means that Lewis will benefit when opposing defenses expect the Panthers to pass.

Speaking of Mark Ingram, the Heisman winner will certainly meet with even more increased resistance from SEC defenses, putting a crimp in his bid for a Heisman repeat.

Evan Royster – along with John Clay – stands at the top of the list on the subject of Big Ten running backs. Both men will help Penn State and Wisconsin (respectively) to a substantial degree, but one wonders if they’ll have the quarterbacks (especially in Royster’s case) who can take pressure off them.

Jacquizz Rodgers will contest the Heisman Trophy this year. Oregon State coach Mike Riley is a great offensive craftsman, so Rodgers will not only get a lot of touches; he’ll get his hands on the ball in the right spots. This will make him extra dangerous in 2010.

Kendall Hunter is a tough, fearless running back, but he’ll have no one to block for him on a very depleted Oklahoma State offensive line.

LaMichael James is a brilliant runner, but the loss of former teammate Jeremiah Masoli will make Oregon’s rushing attack less dynamic. James will have a fine season, but not a spectacular one.

Noel Devine owns world-class speed in the West Virginia backfield. However, his team’s offensive line is inconsistent, and West Virginia’s quarterbacking situation hasn’t been stable since Pat White left Morgantown.

Roy Helu is a hard-charging running back, but Nebraska’s offense is still going to be quite poor this season, thereby minimizing any impact Helu might make for the Huskers.

Ryan Williams is a classic blue-collar, between-the-tackles pounder for Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech. Williams should have an exceptional season as the Hokies try to regain the ACC championship.

All in all, Lewis will probably win this race, with Rodgers second and Williams third.

Football Predictions: Lewis