College running backs are always difficult to figure out. Redshirt freshmen emerge, freshmen blow up, JUCO transfers come in, and quarterbacks tend to run for touchdowns more in college taking points away. Just as in NFL Fantasy Football, the top running backs are at a premium. Always be very careful of some of the top backs as bad lines, backup running backs, and other factors always come into play. According to the CFN Scoring System, touchdowns are important, but the points rack up quickly for the guys who put up the yards and can catch the ball as well. Go for the guys you know aren't going to be subjected to the RB-by-committee format. BLUE CHIP RECRUITS - Get your hands on one of these RBs no matter what. These are the franchise players. 1. Ian Johnson, Jr. Boise State CFN 2006 Point Total (note: these don’t include two-point conversions): 256 … 19.70 ppg The touchdown machine of last year (rushing for 25) could be even more productive as he'll be asked to do more for the offense. He'll rip apart the WAC behind a tremendous offensive line. 2. Steve Slaton, Jr. West Virginia CFN 2006 Point Total: 234 … 18.02 ppg Mr. Reliable, there's not a steadier scoring running back in college football with at least one touchdown run in 17 of his last 20 games. Expect more of the same, and a shot at 1,500 yards if he can stay healthy. 3. Ray Rice, Jr. Rutgers CFN 2006 Point Total: 229 … 17.60 ppg After a phenomenal breakout year, Rice should do even more behind one of the Big East's best offensive lines. QB Mike Teel has improved enough to take the heat off, so watch out for a 25 touchdown season. 4. P.J. Hill, Soph. Wisconsin CFN 2006 Point Total: 200 … 15.35 ppg Unstoppable around the goal line, he should be a threat to hit 20 touchdowns if he can stay healthy. After rushing for 1,569 yards, a 1,700-yard season isn't out of the question. 5. Yvenson Bernard, Sr. Oregon State CFN 2006 Point Total: 173 … 13.31 ppg One of the games best unsung players, Bernard has been a terrific producer for the last few seasons. While he might have to share a little bit of time, and there are a few questions about the passing game that weren't there last year, he'll still be a major league player. SECOND TIER - These will be some of the biggest producers in the country with a good chance of breaking into the top five prospects. 6. Darren McFadden, Jr. Arkansas CFN 2006 Point Total: 208 … 14.87 ppg If anything happens to Felix Jones, put McFadden in the top three. Don't forget, the Heisman finalist will throw for a few, too. 7. Jamario Thomas, Sr. North Texas CFN 2006 Point Total: 54 ... 4.91 ppg He hasn't been able to recapture the magic of his 2,000-yard freshman season, but he should be the featured player in the new Mean Green offense. 8. Mike Hart, Sr. Michigan CFN 2006 Point Total: 185 … 14.25 ppg Can he stay healthy like he did last year? That's a huge if. The offensive line isn't as good, the passing game will be better, and Hart will be a marked man. 9. Kyle Bell, Sr. Colorado State CFN 2005 Point Total: 139 … 11.61 ppg Back from missing all of last year with a knee injury, Bell will be the focal point of the Ram attack. He should benefit from an improved passing game taking the heat off. 10. Kalvin McRae, Sr. Ohio CFN 2006 Point Total: 188 … 13.42 ppg Everyone knows exactly what Ohio is going to do, but can anyone stop it? McRae was, arguably, the MAC's best player last year with 1,252 yards and 15 scores. 11. Justin Forsett, Sr. California CFN 2006 Point Total: 75 … 5.73 ppg The main man in the Cal rushing attack now that Marshawn Lynch has shuffled off to Buffalo, Forsett should put up big numbers. 12. James Davis, Jr. Clemson CFN 2006 Point Total: 180 … 13.86 ppg If anything happens to C.J. Spiller, put Davis in the top five. He's an elite runner who's automatic around the goal line. 13. Ontario Sneed, Jr. Central Michigan CFN 2006 Point Total: 137 … 10.52 ppg Sneed does a little of everything well. One of the nation's elite pass catching backs, he's also a slippery runner around the goal line. 14. Tyrell Sutton, Jr. Northwestern CFN 2006 Point Total: 118 … 9.81 ppg Now that the coaching staff has decided to use its star back again, Sutton should explode like he did in 2005. 15. Amir Pinnix, Sr. Minnesota CFN 2006 Point Total: 145 … 11.12 ppg Tim Brewster and the new coaching staff will work Pinnix early and often until the passing game comes around. http://cfn.scout.com/2/660929.html
