Big East Fantasy RB Rankings

1.LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh (SO)
The Panthers are looking to make a jump in the standings and they will lean heavily on the legs of McCoy to carry them to a bowl game. Last year - which just happened to be his true freshman season – McCoy rushed for 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns, while catching 33 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown. Even with a subpar passing game and a questionable offensive line, McCoy should continue to post solid fantasy numbers in 2008. Expect around 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2008.

2.Noel Devine, West Virginia (SO)
Despite splitting carries with Steve Slaton and quarterback Pat White, Devine rushed for 627 yards and six touchdowns. The sophomore back showed big play ability, as evidenced by his 8.6 yards per carry average. With Slaton gone to the NFL, Devine will take on a bigger role in the Mountaineer backfield. White may cut into Devine’s touchdown numbers, but fantasy owners can expect around 1,350 yards and ten touchdowns.

3.Mike Ford, South Florida (SO)
Ford originally signed with Alabama out of high school, but after a year at prep school, decided to attend South Florida. Despite splitting carries with Ben Williams last season, Ford posted 645 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. The highly-regarded sophomore from Sarasota, Florida appears to be ready for a bigger role in the Bulls backfield in 2008 – assuming he holds off Williams.

4.Kordell Young, Rutgers (SO)
With Ray Rice departing to the NFL, the Scarlet Knights are looking for a new starting running back. Despite returning quarterback Mike Teel and receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood, the Scarlet Knights will continue to pound the rock. Young was scheduled to backup Rice last year, but suffered a season-ending knee injury against Norfolk State. Look for Young and Mason Robinson to battle for carries, with the winner to post top 50 fantasy running back numbers.

5.Mason Robinson, Rutgers (SO)
With Kordell Young’s knee injury knocking him out of action for the majority of last year, the Scarlet Knights turned to Robinson as the backup to Ray Rice. In limited work, the sophomore rushed for 202 yards on 36 carries. Young and Robinson are locked into a tight battle for carries and while the Scarlet Knights could turn to one back, they may look at more of a committee approach in 2008. Owners should monitor this situation closely as the season approaches.

6.Donald Brown, Connecticut (JR)
Although Brown posted 821 yards and eight touchdowns, it was a slight disappointment for fantasy owners expecting an improvement from his 896 yards in 2006. Limiting his improvement and fantasy value was the split of carries with Andre Dixon. Dixon returns in 2008 and the Huskies expect to both players to see around 200 carries, but Brown is the better goal-line option, which rates him slightly above Dixon.

7.Bilal Powell, Louisville (SO)
The Cardinals got a glimpse of Powell’s potential in the final two games of last year. The sophomore back powered his way for a combined 161 yards against South Florida and Rutgers, while reaching the endzone once in each contest. With Anthony Allen transferring, Powell is expected to open the year as the number one back on the depth chart. This is a pick based upon potential, but monitor fall practice news closely to determine if Powell will hold onto the number one spot.

8.Andre Dixon, Connecticut (JR)
Dixon and Donald Brown formed a solid one-two punch in the Connecticut backfield last year, as these two backs rushed for 1,649 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Expect a committee approach in 2008, but Brown will continue to be the team’s top option around the goal line. Dixon should catch around 30 passes, but is only worth a waiver wire pickup in your league.

9.Delone Carter, Syracuse (JR)
Offense hasn’t exactly been the strongpoint under Orange head coach Greg Robinson, but things appeared to be headed in the right direction after 2006. However, 2007 got off to a bad start before the season got going. A significant hip injury forced Carter to the sidelines last year and the Orange struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack. If the junior back can regain the form that led him to rush for 713 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman, he will work his way into fantasy consideration as a waiver wire pickup.

10.Jacob Ramsey, Cincinnati (JR)
Although the Bearcats established more of a pass first offense last year, head coach Brian Kelly would like to get more production from Ramsey and the other Bearcat backs in 2008. The Bearcats ranked 62nd in the NCAA in rushing offense last year and with a new quarterback taking over, the rushing attack needs to play a bigger role. Last season, Ramsey rushed for 362 yards and three touchdowns, while catching eight passes. Ramsey is worth a look in select match-ups, but isn’t worth a week-to-week spot on your roster.

11.Brock Bolen, Louisville (SR)
12.Ben Williams, South Florida (SR)
13.Victor Anderson, Louisville (FR)
14.Darius Ashley, Louisville (FR)
15.Mark Rodgers, West Virginia (FR)
16.LaRod Stephens-Howling, Pittsburgh (SR)
17.Jourdan Brooks, Rutgers (FR)
18.Doug Hogue, Syracuse (SO)
19.Averin Collier, Syracuse (FR)
20.Curtis Brinkley, Syracuse (SR)
21.Jason Gwaltney, West Virginia (JR)
22.Terence Kerns, West Virginia (FR)
23.Thor Merrow, West Virginia (JR)
24.Jamar Taylor, South Florida (SO)
25.John Goebel, Cincinnati (SO)
26.Zach Hulse, West Virginia (JR)
27.Rashad White, Rutgers (FR)
28.Aston Samuels, South Florida (SO)
29.Moise Plancher, South Florida (JR)
30.Montez Patterson, Cincinnati (FR)

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