The Ultimate "Runningback U." Auburn or USC?
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 15, 2010 9:20 PM CDT
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PrintI am a huge Auburn fan, and on occasion I like to brag about how Auburn is "Runningback U", only to be told by rival fans that USC (Southern Cal) is the REAL runningback U. Some say Auburn is the runningback u of the east and USC is the runningback u of the west. Which had me thinking who is the ultimate runningback u? Well I did some research and have listed, side by side, the amount of quality runningbacks that have come from each school. My criteria is as such.
- ran for at least 2,000 career rushing yards over 3-4 years.
- If they were a transfer from another school and only had 1-2 years, then they had to have at least 1,400 career rushing yards.
- DOES NOT have to be a trophy winner.
- I did not count Reggie Bush seeing as he was ineligable his whole career, still a great runningback though.
Here is the list of great runningbacks from Auburn and Southern Cal. (In no particular order.)
Auburn USC
Bo Jackson O.J. Simpson
James Brooks Charles White
Joe Cribbs Ricky Bell
Stephen Davis Mike Garret
Brent Fullwood LenDale White
Rudi Johnson Jon Arnett
Ronnie Brown
Kenny Irons
James Bostic
*You could make an
argument for Ben Tate and Tucker Fredrickson.*
(Ben Tate had 1,959 career rushing yards)
So it looks like Auburn has produced more quality runningbacks all time and in recent history. I think that Auburn is the ultimate "Runningback U."
What do you guys think based on the list? Auburn or USC? Vote or leave a comment telling me your opinion.
Thanks for reading, and WAR EAGLE!
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i still don’t get the idea of taking reggie bush’s accomplishments on the field away from him. he was / is an incredible RB and football athlete…one of the premier players the college football game has seen in recent history.
his ineligibility should cost him the heisman trophy, in my opinion though. that trophy (fraternity) goes beyond skill and performance on the field, and if you carried our a revote on that … i’m pretty sure he would lose the trophy anyway.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
this is an interesting article to consider while Auburn is in the 2nd yr. of a new direction offensively. I’m not suggesting right off the top that AU’s O is headed away from a runningback U status at all… just that the draw of RBs to the program involves some very different circumstances AND opportunities in this Malzahn system.
more and more it seems many of these high school players are being exposed to a similar style of O, and so this hasn’t become a major hurdle for recruiting. It might possibly result in an adjustment in the type of running backs that fit best.
i would be interested in what everyone’s thoughts are on this moving forward. i categorize myself as one of the reluctant and nervous fans about the whole up-tempo, no huddle Malzahn O,… but have become a serious fan of the dynamic play calling involved.
i actually thought that ben tate fit pretty well in the offensive scheme. right mix of size and strength that is typical around the SEC…the mix that not only survives, but thrives.
my biggest concern with this offense is depth at the RB position. (don’t have this concern in 2010, just in general) this system requires RB rotation that can give lots of different looks. when O-Mac got hurt last year on that stupid play… our offense lost a few simple options/plays that really hurt teams early in the season- and kept Ds guessing like crazy in the middle of the season.
I think this running back U, for as long as Malzahn’s O is in place… will continue to draw not only the typical hard nose durable RB, but also look to utilize some of the special (not so traditional) backs to add to the dynamics and play calling options.
wappa
I respect Reggie, he’s a great player and person, but he was inelegable so I was conflicted weather to include him or not.
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 16, 2010 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions
best of all time
It is arguable, but I think Tucker Frederickson was the best of them all.
Tucker Frederickson.....
while undoubtedly a great player of his time, did not and would would not compare to Vincent “Bo” Jackson. Just saying…..
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Note: I did note you could make an argument for him, I could not find any stats on him, if you can, I would be happy to add him if he was close to 2,000 career yards.
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 16, 2010 7:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Than, not then...
Just had to throw that in there (see 3rd option on poll)
Auburn Tigers Baseball -- 2010 SEC West Champions
The University of Alabama-the "True Running Back U"
Shaun Alexander 3,565
2 Bobby Humphrey 3,420
3 Kenneth Darby 3,288
4 Johnny Musso 2,741
5 Dennis Riddle 2,645
6 Bobby Marlow 2,604
7 Johnny Davis 2,519
8 Sherman Williams 2,486
9 Shaud Williams 2,288
10 Mark Ingram 2,270
Ricky Moore 2,270
12 Siran Stacy 2,105
13 Harry Gilmer 2,025
13 Glen Coffee 2,025
14 Corky Tharp 2,008
Ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most Valuable Participant 2009
by Other on Jun 16, 2010 11:35 AM CDT reply actions 5 recs
One of the main reasons AU is called Running Back U.....
is that it is a pipeline for Running Backs to the NFL something that most of the names on your list didn’t make it to and some that did weren’t marfquee guys in the NFL when they did make it. Some exceptions of course such as Shaun Alexander, Bobby Humphrey, and Tony Nathan (whom you left off of your list probably because his college numbers weren’t over 2000 but he was none the less one of the best Backs ever to come out of Tuscaloosa). But regardless there is no doubt that Bama has had some great college running backs but AU is still Running Back U.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
by Todd92 on Jun 16, 2010 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Siran Stacy and Sherman Williams, off the top of my head, had decent NFL careers if I remember correctly
Joe Cribbs was in my office Monday, actually, catching up as I haven’t spoken to him in a while.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 16, 2010 5:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Sherman Williams had a decent career.......
if by decent you mean being a backup for the most part of his 4 year career and subsequently getting busted for drug trafficking. And Siran Stacy played one or two years for Philadelphia before being sent to the NFL Europe several years before finally ending up his career in the CFL.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Whatever
that’s better than the cleveland browns
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 16, 2010 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Dude I'm not being a hater.....
that’s the truth. Sherman Williams had a 4 year career in the NFL was never “the” back for the cowboys and got busted in his first year away from the franchise. Siran Stacy is a good person and I feel for him for his loss but he wasn’t even a blip in the NFL.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
No
Johnny Mack Brown or Wilbur Jackson? I wonder how many yards Gene Jelks got before he switched positions?
Will change conferences for food. God bless.
by War Eagle Atlanta on Jun 16, 2010 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions
"neither one is better than the other"
while I do have quite the confidence in my own running abilities, I think it may be a little premature to whoever voted that I was more of a running back U than AU and USC…..
Most Valuable Participant 2009
I always thought
that the term Running Back U had implied in it the fact that these players went on to accomplish some success in the NFL. RB-U would imply that it was a factory that produces such great pro talent.
Will change conferences for food. God bless.
by War Eagle Atlanta on Jun 16, 2010 12:06 PM CDT reply actions
I always thought that Runningback U ment that the school just had a history of fantastic runningbacks player there and on into the next level.
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 17, 2010 7:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Typo *playing* not player.
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 17, 2010 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Pardon me coming over here and injecting some logic here...
…why is it you have college qualifications for something that should just be in the scope of pro careers. Seems some faulty reasoning to come up with everything.
Just go through the top 100 NFL-RB’s of all time, and top 50 in individual seasons and call it a day. No need for all this other fluff for qualifiers.
With that filter for information you’ll come up with an idea of who is “RB-U”
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
Your title reminds me of
Allow myself to introduce………… myself
How can i take any logic from someone that titles their post like that?
In terms of getting premiere running backs to the pros Auburn is way ahead of the game. There have been injuries that have hindered alot of former Auburn running backs once they went on to the next level but thats really a moot point.
AUBURN is back!
That is a weak argument and highly irrelevant
the same could be said for many players at many schools in many positions.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 16, 2010 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay, so you should say this list is for "RB-U-with-NFL-potential"
which is highly subjective as you could claim anyone who didn’t have a great NFL career could have possibly had one due to other factors (injuries/schemes/etc). So I will just kindly state that the criteria, although rightfully able to be determined by whatever the pollster wants, is inconsistent to what the facts of player’s careers within the NFL (which is what just about everyone who didn’t have Auburn/USC blinders on would use as qualifications to support their position) would show by their statistics.
And you can take what you want from my statements. You have every right of that. But don’t expect me to change just because you want to be subjective and I want to use facts to evaluate your opinion.
Thanks for the exchange. Your homerism is noted.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on Jun 16, 2010 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Come on guys, don't pretend you gave USC a fair shake in this.
Anthony Davis had 5400 all-purpose yards, 3772 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns. He was an All-American, and came in 2nd in the Heisman voting despite scoring 4 touchdowns in one game against Notre Dame after the ballots had been submitted. And he doesn’t make your list!?
Joe McKnight had 2213 yards over three years.
Frank Gifford transferred into USC and became an eight time pro-bowler and NFL hall of famer.
You could make an argument for Reggie Bush just because he rushed for a little over 1400 yards in his first two years, before he became ineligible.
MAGNIFICENT GRAND CHAMPION CC NCAA BRACKET 2010
Joe McKnight was not a great running back. In fact, the best he placed on the all-pac-10 was as an honorable mention.
I'll back this up
plus, with the car situation, he may very well prove to add to USC’s current woe’s and be Reggie Bush Jr. (screwing the university over without the accolades).
THANK GOD we didn’t get him three years ago…geez.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 18, 2010 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Frank Gifford
but then he married Kathie Lee, which results in automatic disqualification.
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Jun 22, 2010 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
One thing I'll add...
…..is that the Auburn list isn’t necessarily complete, either. You could add William Andrews and Lionel James to it, as well as James Joseph and Stacy Danley. If a successful NFL career is all it took, Brandon Jacobs of the Giants would be on there, too.
I could not find any stats on Lional >.>
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 17, 2010 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions
And one last thing.....
AU didn’t christen itself as “Running Back U”……the media did and it has stuck (and held true) for well over 25 years. Get over it.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
[citation needed]
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on Jun 16, 2010 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Really? Are yout that young? That stupid? or both?
cfn.scout.com/2/861444.html
www.realfootball365.com/articles/auburn/9323
www.orangepower.com/showthread.php?t=22916
universityhelmets.com/page.php?cat=products…Auburn… – Cached
http://www.footballspeakers.com/h/index.php?pid=62
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Premature-Assessments-Auburn-s-world-turned-ups?urn=ncaaf,169945
http://www.techsideline.com/php-bin/news/newsFilter.php?page=18&sport=football&template=footballhome&PHPSESSID=1030086b60e67392bd955db8cd547c09
http://en.kendincos.net/video-jntrjdfr-nfls-greatest-linebackers.html
http://www.bolthype.com/2010/03/chargers-2010-mock-draft-30.html
http://www.collectiblessportscards.com/devin-aromashodu/
http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/083108abt.html
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Neither, but thank you for playing.
Really? Are yout that young? That stupid? or both?
Maybe I asked so we could have the evidence here. It’s the first time someone has tried to present their case without something subjective as their own criteria.
BTW, some of your links do not work or do not point to information that says what you have claimed.
Good luck to you all.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on Jun 17, 2010 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions
dood who cares
they’re Running Back U
the media put that on them it’s got some validity because of talent they’ve had at that position so it’s their nickname
the only real points such a thing gets you is a bit of recruiting sway with RB prospects but other than that – it’s just a media tag that’s fun for fans to hang their hats on that doesn’t attack other teams
Auburn has had a lot of good running backs – there, it’s not hard to admit and doesn’t really say anything about the quality or success of their teams overall it’s just a recognition of continued skill at that position
- not to be mean – but point to the running back with the national title on that list (2004 screw job not withstanding) and even that doesn’t matter because this tag has nothing to do with titles it’s just something that recognizes a position they’ve had success with and should not bother Alabama fans in the least because, historically we’re not supposed to care about offense anyway
we win with old fashioned low offensive numbers backed up by stout Alabama defense – I mean seriously, look at our undefeated quarterback – even our nationally recognized wide receiver is built for smash mouth football
Auburn has had great Running Backs some of the best in the country – therefore the media calls them Running Back U – you think Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson care in the least? You think Rolando McClain was bummed he didn’t get to play at Penn State the proclaimed Linebacker U?
it’s a catchy little nickname and if the Barn wants to flaunt it – go for it fellas
My body is a temple
by Wallacewade04 on Jun 17, 2010 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wallace.....
like I said we have been called Running Back U since the early 80’s at least by the talking head media and it’s not unfounded to say the least but for some bammers it’s just to much to take that AU might be well thought of as a program. It is what it is…..something that AU has done well over the years…..recruiting great running backs and putting them in the NFL. The rest of the bammers need to get a life and find something else to pick a fight over…..and thanks for the somewhat kind words even though I know it hurts you.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Its all a matter of opinion… :)
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 17, 2010 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Good lesson on Grammar.....
or as they say in the grove….Gramma.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Gramma
couldn’t make it to the tailgate today, but we brought her fried chicken….
Will change conferences for food. God bless.
by War Eagle Atlanta on Jun 16, 2010 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
This isn't an argument...
It’s Auburn, period. I’m sorry but USC just doesn’t quite make it. Oh and AlabamaJammer if one of Todd’s links work properly then he gave you the citation you wanted. You got bested and couldn’t admit it.
How about another link for you then? It’s a media report.
And to point out about me getting bested, you will note I gave him praise to bring links to back up his position. There was no ‘best[ing]’ to the situation. My position stands that it’s all subjective until you point out criteria based on NFL careers. And it’s an accurate point that you seem to be ignoring just so you can ‘one-up’ me. But no one has come out and used the criteria I’ve asked for to prove that Auburn is “RBU” at any time of these discussions.
So I’ve made my case for USC, even though I’d argue that OSU is beyond Auburn in the discussion. Still doesn’t remove the fact that Auburn is one of the top 10 RB schools in the country by my opinion. And no, I do not have on Crimson colored glasses and put Bama anywhere on the list.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
And the roses in this grand ol' stadium are once again Crimson. - Eli Gold, CTSN Broadcast of the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, 1-7-2010
by AlabamaJammer on Jun 17, 2010 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Reggie Bush
Apparently you havent heard the news but he has been disassociated from the USC university. So with that being said im sure they fall in the ranking
Thanks for playing. Your ignorance has been noted
AUBURN is back!
How do you figure it's cut and dry?
This isn’t an argument…
It’s Auburn, period.
I have to say, Auburn can’t touch Ohio State (even though I hate them). Hell, Archie Griffin and Eddie George alone blow your best out of the water.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 17, 2010 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Archie Griffin and Eddie George were great backs......
but to say that they blow our best out of the water is a bit of a stretch. Bo was not only one of the greatest College Running Backs but for the albeit short NFL career was one of the best NFL backs in the league.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
I was actually talking about this topic at lunch yesterday
Me and my coworker – both Bama fans – agree that had Bo not been hurt, he would have ended up being one of if not THE greatest backs in the NFL. I will give you guys credit for that all day long; he was one of the all-time greats. I would have loved for him to have continued to play ball. Hell, that run where he punked Bostic alone is worth a “war eagle” ha ha.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 18, 2010 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions
That hit on Bostic was classic....
and that pretty much summed up Bostic all mouth and no substance.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Whatever
see, he is so irrelevant I cant remember his name!
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 20, 2010 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL....yes it was Bosworth.
And yes he is irrelevant…..forgive me for my brainfart……I am doing 85 to 90 hours a week in my new business and I am more than a little short circuited.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Brian Bosworth says,
YOU’RE IRRELEVANT
"Jay Jacobs can't go to the bathroom without Bobby Lowder's permission" - Paul Finebaum
by GumptownTiger on Jun 22, 2010 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
bama finds the heisman w/ a RB and all of a sudden they need every accolade...
so they can display it at all the 85 convenient Walmarts(Malwarts) around Tuscaloosa.
wappa
Really Buddy?
Did you even read the post? One of you esteemed members set up the parameters for the discussion and the vote. I pointed to factual evidence that based on your parameters that the University of Alabama trumped both teams in the poll. So then you try to make some crazy argument that we bammers are still drunk off the champagne of our current heisman and national championship teams????
Well my friend you are absolutely correct. Pass out drunk!
Most Valuable Participant 2009
i did read the article jackass.
i don’t agree with the parameters of the analysis, but it is a starting point of discussion. it isn’t wrong for you to react the way you did… listing all the bama players with yards and what not. why not. i didn’t do the analysis, i don’t have any idea if the #s are accurate any which way.
the debate of running back U doesn’t come down to every single yard…does it?
i agree with the comments that this is a label that has built itself on subjective opinion and on a perception of the pipeline of quality running backs that turned the corner with their college skill and found some success in the NFL.
this isn’t a label that is particularly marketable, or one now that can really be stolen away by any other team… i am afraid….so, sorry for you. Auburn is running back U for the strategic reasons that Carl Stewart was so critical in the 2004 undefeated Auburn team… Tre Smith later on (helped beat UF in 2006), heath evans, brandon jacobs, mario fannin…so many guys who have in their Auburn careers found themselves lucky to contribute in unique ways in the Auburn system. did mario think coming to AU that it wouldn’t be till his senior year that he would start at TB? i don’t think so,… but he has grown so much as a player as a result of his work at HB… it is scary how good a player he is. just stop your stupid rant. it is pointless. there are teams out there with great backs, but none have the diligence applied to the running back position like Auburn.
wappa
Really?
i did read the article jackass
You may have some good points, but you negate your validity when you let “Internetz rage” get to you and start calling names. Come on, dude, it’s not that deep.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 18, 2010 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions
ha ha
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 18, 2010 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey Buddy.
First off, I agree that Auburn has the title Running Back U. because of whatever reason the media gave that to you guys a while back. I just wanted to make the individual who set up the dumb parameters see how silly his poll was given that it was an incorrect way to justify the moniker. Now for you telling me to stop the stupid rant, I cannot because I never started one. The way you are reacting is almost as if your the genius who posted the thing. You can keep your “Running Back U” moniker there buddy boy and we will keep the 2010 National Champions title and the 2010 Heisman title that YOU brought up. happy?
Most Valuable Participant 2009
Uh, I'm guessing that wasn't meant for me...
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 21, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I have to agree, neither of you guys can touch OSU
They have had some pretty good backs in their history.
I also don’t think you have enough criteria listed. If you really want to conduct a poll which asks questions that direct readers/voters to a preferred outcome, you should tweak it a bit. You are doing a good job of making all pre-qualifiers pro-Auburn, but there is still a way to go. Maybe you should add “must have played east of Montgomery and west of Atlanta”. That’ll help your cause.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
"You are doing a good job of making all pre-qualifiers pro-Auburn, but there is still a way to go."
Umm see the green comment. No he is not.
Most Valuable Participant 2009
I think this picture sums up our feelings on OSU >.>
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 17, 2010 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions
While my post was dripping with a bit of sarcasm
because, well, you guys are Aubies and I’m a Bama guy, so I cant be too serious. But it hurt to agree with someone else regarding the validity of OSU’s backs. They are pretty deep in that department.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 18, 2010 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
I completely understand, it is still fun to poke fun at them though ;)
"BYE BYE BO!"
by TheAuburnKnight on Jun 18, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
That it is. It's not, however, like the SEC is their 'Daddy' or anything...
oh, wait…
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 18, 2010 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions
The Ohio State University.......
just can’t seem to man up against an SEC team. Farqing eyesholes and sum in a batches……
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
Hey, but they have that awesome "dot the 'i'" thing going on, so
uh, yeah. Win. I guess.
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 21, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
The only good thing ever to come out of the Ohio State University....
is Jack Nicklaus.
I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU
+1
www.RollBamaRoll.com - Our logo has more championships than you
by BamaReturns07 on Jun 22, 2010 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions
For the record
I hate Ohio State. I’d love for Auburn to play them in a bowl game this year or early next year. I’d love to beat the Buckeyes.
running back u
you forgot Willie Anderson had a good career at Atlanta after Auburn
by Brian Gilliland on Jun 24, 2010 11:05 AM CDT reply actions
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