Today we hit up #7 - Running Backs
Depth Chart - Here is a look at the HB and FB depth chart. All of these guys will play, so I have listed then in order of most carries to fewest for the season, a mixture of the actual depth chart and what I hearing.
Talent - The cupboard at running back is officially stocked. Of the top 5 RB, 4 of them were 4 star & top 100 overall players per rivals. Only Theo Riddick was not a 4 star recruit - and the true freshman scat back has been turning some heads in fall practice. At Fullback, James Aldridge was a 5 star RB out of Indiana, while Steve Paskorz was a 4 star LB out of high school. While all that talent has not been unleashed yet on the field, the raw material appears to be there to be solid and maybe great. Offensive line play can be the key to unlock this talent, but there are also concerns that we still lack the elite running back we need.
Changes - Tony Alford is the new running backs coach, replacing Mike Haywood who is now the head coach at Miami of Ohio. Alford brings solid experience, which you can read a little about here. The other notable change in the backfield is that James Aldridge has officially moved to full back from half back. The move makes sense, seeing that the Irish lack an athletic fullback, and the lack of carries Aldridge likely would have seen at tailback. The senior has had some injures skew his career, but his great attitude about the change bodes well for the season. While fullback is traditionally a less focal position in a Weis offense, Aldridge is athletic enough to get some carries and catch some passes out of the backfield that may surprise defenses.
Depth - Very solid, but still lacking an elite back. Armando Allen (pictured above) has shown more spurts of greatness as his career as moved forward, but inconsistency and the inability to break tackles has prevented him from being a very good runningback. Jonas Gray (pictured right) is officially behind Hughes on the depth chart, but I am predicting a break out year for the Jerome Bettis-like sophomore. While he saw minimal action as a freshman (and had some fumble-itis), many feel Gray has had an outstanding camp and will be in serious contention for carries. Gray has a similar body and skill set to Hughes, but apparently has had a better camp. Playcalling with specific running back skills in mind could be a huge help to the RBs - Allen needs space while Gray is better between the tackles. Theo Riddick should be great in the passing game, as will the team's 2nd leading receiver from 2008, Armando Allen. Will be interesting if both freshman Riddick & Wood see the field this year, or if their eligibility is preserved. Overall we have the bodies in place to run the ball effectively - but can these guys still find a way to run the ball even if our offensive line is just average? Great running backs find a way, and I'm not sure if we have one yet.
Goals - In 2008, the Irish rushed for a paltry 3.3 YPC. As presented in the offensive line preview here, yards per carry will be one of the key predictors for the Irish this year. YPC tells the true story of the running game, much more so than total rushing yards. The Irish need to get to 4.0 YPC to have a chance at a BCS bowl game, in the opinion of most experts. Allen should be shooting for 1000 yards (after his 621 yard performance last year), while a realistic goal for Hughes and/or Gray would be 500 to 600 yards. A few more long, breakaway runs are also needed to boost the running game. Can Allen break away from the defense like he did on the kick return during the Hawaii'i bowl game?
Final Analysis - This unit is ready to make big strides, lead by the frontman, Armando Allen. How close he gets to 1000 yards will be another very important predictor of this season. Armando has already proven himself in the passing game (50 receptions last year, 2nd on the team - yes 2nd), but needs to get a few more long runs to add to the rushing attack. This group of backs would be plenty good if running behind a top level offensive line - and I am not sure they will have that luxury this season. A solid year but only a 3.9YPC average is my official prediction.
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