Ranking the best running back rooms in the Big Ten

Big Ten play is underway for the 2024 football season. It’s known for its tough physical play in the trenches, which makes the running game crucial. Who has the best running back rooms in the conference?

No. 5: Indiana

Indiana as a whole has been a pleasant surprise for their fans under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. This is an experienced backfield with Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton, both of which are grad seniors.

Through five games they have combined for 618 yards and could be the start of helping Cignetti turn around the Hoosiers.

No. 4: Oregon

In its first year in the Big Ten, the Ducks return both Jordan James and Noah Whittington. Both are quick and shifty backs but provide a good contrast at the same time with Whittington being useful on 3rd down as a pass catcher.

Their best performance of the year was against Oregon State where they combined for 150 yards on the ground.

Although Oregon got off to a slow start, they are still a contender in the Big Ten largely due to being strong in the trenches. That physicality, matched with the speed of their skill players including James and Whittington, could wear defenses down.

No. 3: Michigan

Although Donovan Edwards has had a disappointing start in what was expected to be a monster season, Kalel Mullings has picked up the slack with 540 yards through five games. Michigan’s ground game is their identity on offense, and it is even more relied upon this year with a lack of quality at quarterback.

If Edwards can return to form, that ground game will become even more dangerous because he and Mullings both have the potential to be 1,000-yard rushers this year. Mullings is already well on his way to that mark.

No. 2: Penn State

Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen burst onto the scene as one of the best one-two punches in the country as freshmen in 2021, combining for over 2,000 scrimmage yards. Last year, their effectiveness dipped in a slow, lethargic Penn State offense that only scored 27 combined points in their two biggest games against Ohio State and Michigan.

This year, they are looking more like they did as freshmen. Singleton is as explosive as ever already with two touchdowns of 40-plus yards. Both backs have also been effective as pass catchers out of the backfield.

If Singleton and Allen reach their potential, they could be the best backfield not just in the Big Ten, but in the country by the end of the year.

No. 1: Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson deciding not to enter the NFL Draft, and returning for his final year was huge for the Buckeyes. Henderson was instantly a superstar as a freshman in 2021 rushing for 1,248 yards before battling injuries over the past two years.

Couple that with adding the best running back out of the transfer portal this offseason. Quinshon Judkins left Ole Miss after being arguably the best running back in the SEC for the past two years with 2,725 combined rushing yards.

Although they haven’t been tested yet this year, both backs are averaging over eight yards per carry and will be tough for any defense to stop.

Jacob Rudy is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jar7371@psu.edu.