Let’s be real. For all of the talk about the Big Ten changing and becoming more modernized, the conference will always be synonymous with one thing: running the football.
The styles of rushing attack may be changing, but getting it done on the ground is still the calling card of the Big Ten. Even for great passing teams like Ohio State, they still establish the run first and foremost.
Looking throughout the conference, the rushing attack looks to be as strong as ever in the Big Ten. Throughout, you will find some of the best Power Five conference rushers. Even some of the lower-ranked rushing attacks would more than likely be dominant in that area in a lesser conference.
There really aren’t a ton of bad rushing attacks, say in comparison to the passing game where, yeah, there definitely have been some stinkers in recent years. I’m definitely looking at you Iowa when I say that.
Ranking the best rushers in the Big Ten almost feels like a disservice to not only you the reader, but to the players themselves. There are so many talented backs throughout, that a simple top-10 ranking mostly featuring Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State just doesn’t seem fair. Additionally, many of these teams have multiple quality backs that they will look to employ.
With that in mind, I have decided to rank every backfield in the Big Ten ahead of the 2023 season.
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