Ranking the top running attacks in C-USA

[Harry]

#10. North Texas

The Mean Green are built for pounding the football - they've a fine offensive line and a couple of solid running backs - but that isn't the problem. QB play was too inconsistent last season for the running game to be more of a factor. That may change this year with mobile Kansas-transfer Brock Berglund in the running - literally! He's a dual-threat who can add a lot of yardage to ground game. The main backs, Brandin Byrd and Antoine Jimmerson combined for 1404 yards and 9 TDs, run hard, but they don't possess game-breaking speed - and this is the biggest issue. The Mean Green don't have an apparent playmaker anywhere on offense, meaning defenses can load up closer to the line of scrimmage. If they find one in the fall (Reggie Pegram, anyone?), this could be a dangerous offense.

Read more: http://uncrownedchampions.sportsblog.com/post/122419/ranking_the_top_running_attacks.html

[LongJim]

According to my #'s, between them, Byrd and Jimmerson averaged 5.5 ypc last year. If they get anywhere near that stat this year, the UNT rushing offense will not be ranked anywhere near #10.

[drex]

Ever get the feeling we are entering CUSA cleverly disguised as Rodney Daingerfield?

[meangreener]

I see a lot of underestimating.

[meangreener]

Agreed. Our roster is stacked. The only variable is QB, though. Weak at DT as well, but not too worried about that.

Edited July 31, 2013 by meangreener

[LongJim]

Ever get the feeling we are entering CUSA cleverly disguised as Rodney Daingerfield?

Good.

I hope UNT steals their money and women and burns their houses down.

[Harry]

[BillySee58]

According to my #'s, between them, Byrd and Jimmerson averaged 5.5 ypc last year. If they get anywhere near that stat this year, the UNT rushing offense will not be ranked anywhere near #10.

How do ya figure? Byrd averaged 4.2 yards/carry and Jimmerson averaged 5.

[LongJim]

How do ya figure? Byrd averaged 4.2 yards/carry and Jimmerson averaged 5.

You're right. I got bad #'s on Jimmerson. But that's still almost 5 ypc between them. Plenty good!

[BillySee58]

You're right. I got bad #'s on Jimmerson. But that's still almost 5 ypc between them. Plenty good!

We have to get more touches for Jimmerson. Byrd wasted some good run blocking at times last year. Jimmerson gets in the endzone.

I know people like to look at Byrd as the power back, but he ran too top heavy last year and would get tripped up too easy even with a head of steam going. Jimmerson is over an inch shorter, weighs more, and carries more of his weight in his lower body. That's why even though Byrd is the "power" back, Jimmerson still breaks more tackles. Byrd may have improved, but Jimmerson is a game changer.

[MeanGreenTexan]

Just like you need a good running game to have a successful passing game, you need a good passing game to have a successful running game.

I think Byrd/Jimmerson are fine. Hopefully Pegram contributes as well, but we're going to need the passing game to step up so that opposing defenses don't continually stack the box with 8 guys.