The running back position is a position of physics. No matter how big/strong/fast you are, youapos;re going to lose momentum for each defender you run into or have to change directions for. Thus, the most important trait for a good RB is vision. The earlier the RB makes an adjustment, the smaller the adjustment he has to make. However, vision isnapos;t a readily quantifiable trait, so you just have to watch the player a bunch and judge that subjectively.
After that, an RB either needs to be freakishly strong, or freakishly agile. [I consider being big and/or fast to be third-tier traits. The most common misjudgements of RBs tend to be these last two traits, since weight and speed are the most visible and quantifiable.] Strength is easily measured, yet commonly used in rating RBs. For example, Adrian Peterson (345 bench press, 530 squat) and Reggie Bush (335 bench press, 24 reps at 225 pounds) are freakishly strong. Thatapos;s a big part of why those guys are better than other players with similar size and speed.
Michigan Stateapos;s Javon Ringer is only recently starting to hit the national spotlight after gaining 200 yards on Notre Dame and on Indiana. Iapos;ve had my eye on him after an early ESPN article detailed his improved strength numbers (he finished high school at 180 pounds with a 315 bench press but as a college senior is now up to 202 pounds with a "near 400 bench"). I think 400 is probably an exaggeration, but he very likely is at least in the 350+ range. Ringer should garner light Heisman attention (thought nothing meaningful unless MSU gets 11 wins or he breaks 2,000 rushing yards) and will be a legitimate threat against OSU this week. And, Iapos;m always a fan of RBs that regularly carry the ball 35-45 times a game.
LSU gave up 51 to Florida. Granted, one of the TDs can be blamed on LSUapos;s offense, but they still gave up five TDs and three FGs in eleven drives. Each scoring drive started in Florida territory and went for at least 35 yards. As I stated two weeks ago: "LSUapos;s defense is nowhere near what it was last year and will likely keep them out of contention for the SEC Championship."
The
two roughing calls on Oklahoma LB Travis Lewis were ridiculous. He barely tapped Colt McCoy each time. Iapos;ve been hit harder walking the hallways of junior high school. Refs, this is football, not soccer. Colt, have some dignity, leave the flop jobs for the punters.
Week 7 picks: 0-0
Season: 1-5
Predicted top 5 (pre bowls):
1) Oklahoma
2) Alabama/Florida
3) Ohio St/Penn St
4) USC
5) Alabama/Florida
No changes this week despite Oklahomaapos;s loss to Texas. Texas has six games remaining, two against 6-0 schools, two more against 5-1 schools. I donapos;t recall any team in the last 15 years going undefeated against a slate that strong. Heck, I barely remember any school even FACING that tough of a schedule.
My conference rankings:
1) SEC
2) Big 12
**big gap**
3) Big 10
4) ACC
5) Big East
6) PAC 10 (first time Iapos;ve ever seen a BSC conference with a losing non-conference record)
No changes here either. Even though the SEC has a much better non-conference record, I think the top tier Big 12 teams could give the top-tier SEC teams a run for their money.
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