Eight years ago, the Big 12 had one of the most entertaining college football games ever. The matchup was No. 16 Oklahoma visiting Texas Tech led by future NFL quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Patrick Mahomes.
The game saw fireworks with 125 total points over 1,279 yards of offense through the air. Back then,The Big 12 was known for air raid offense which loved to throw the ball and score many points while playing little to no defense most of the time.
Now, the narrative has completely flipped as more and more Big 12 teams pound the ground game and maintain reasonable time of possession to control the clock.
"This league runs the ball," said ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham. "It's funny because 10 years ago, this league threw the ball, and that's everything people talked about. Now, this league runs the ball. They run it effectively ...This league's running back rooms are loaded."
Loaded is the right word to describe this conference's sheer talent at tailback in a conference filled with running back talent.
RJ Harvey, UCF Knights
2024 season stats: 196 carries, 1,328 yards and 19 touchdowns
The national media hasn't given Harvey his flowers for the type of season he is having. The Knights wouldn't be the team, nor the offense, without their under-the-radar back.
Standing at 5-foot-9-inch and 208 pounds, Harvey has great speed, excellent lateral quickness and can make defenders miss in tight spaces. His versatile skill set means he can also catch the ball out of the backfield. While he's speedy, Harvey has a certain patience and vision which makes him more challenging to bring down as he waits for his blocks to make space for him.
Harvey's versatility brings the potential to be an offensive workhorse. He has showcased his potential throughout the year and displays good ball security given his workload.
"Overall Harveys' speed, how he knows how to run routes, how he can slip through tight places — I think overall that really makes him, him, and that makes him a really big fan favorite among the UCF crowd," said sports writer Andrew Rollins for KnightNews.
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech Red Raiders
2024 season stats: 235 carries, 1,184 yards and 11 touchdowns
Brooks is one of the most patient runners in the country and exudes prime Le'Veon Bell vibes when he runs the ball. He's only gotten better at reading running lanes throughout his career.
Brooks has a sturdy, NFL-ready frame standing at 5-foot-10-inch and 230 pounds. He can easily break through arm tackles and is a tough tackle despite lacking elusiveness and overall speed. He also has shown knowledge in pass protection, a skill set many running backs struggle to gain.
"Patience and toughness," said sports editor Ty Kaplan for The Daily Toreador in an email. "The two things every coach on the Texas Tech staff will rave about are Tahj Brook's ability to identify the correct gap and his leg power. On a run play, Brooks can sometimes be seen waiting for a full second or two before powering through a hole his offensive line creates."
DJ Giddens, Kansas State Wildcats
2024 stats: 176 carries, 1,128 yards and five touchdowns
At 6-foot-1-inch and 212 pounds, Giddens is one of the more balanced backs in the conference. He can run a man over, break through arm tackles with his size and has the elusiveness to make a man miss with a juke.
"Giddens has routinely shaken off defenders with quick cuts, allowing him to find open space and kick it into high gear toward the end zone," said sports editor Toby Hammes for the Kansas State Collegian in an email.
Giddens isn't the fastest on the field but his versatile skill set and size can make defenses see him as a workhorse. His vision has improved throughout his career as he's shown the ability to let running lanes develop and then attack with his quickness.
"While the Big 12 is a star-studded league at running back, Giddens' versatility elevates him amongst the best," Hammes said.
Devin Neal, Kansas Jayhawks
2024 stats: 162 carries, 926 yards and 12 touchdowns
Neal is a downhill runner who picks his running lane fast and uses sheer athleticism to power past defenders. While his numbers may not equal others, Neal is a crucial piece to the Jayhawks' elite running game.
He's a natural pass catcher and skilled route runner. Neal's athleticism and elite vision make him a tough guy to bring down, especially in the open field.
There are size concerns at 5-foot-11-inch and 215 pounds, but he hasn't shown any signs of letting that stop him.
"Once Neal receives the handoff and meets a linebacker in the hole, his vision and one-cut ability make him one of the hardest running backs to tackle in the country," said sports editor Liam Carson for The University Daily Kansan in a written statement. "Combine his vision at the line of scrimmage and in the open field Neal has the chance to turn any run into six."
Cam Skattebo, ASU
198 carries, 1,074 yards and 11 touchdowns
Skattebo has been a delight for Sun Devils fans for the past two years. What hasn't local media already said about the senior back? Nothing.
Coming in at 5-foot-11-inch and 215 pounds, Skattebo is technically undersized for a back with so much power. It wouldn't be a Skattebo run without him throwing at least one defender to the ground. His speed and quickness have improved from last season, making him one of the better pass-catchers in the country.
Skattebo may not be the fastest or most explosive, but if there is one thing for sure, he is a physical back who will get yards one way or another. He's shown excellent elusiveness on some runs this year by jump-cutting through lanes to find space. Skattebo runs with a different mindset every time he gets the ball.
"I think he always plays with a chip on his shoulder," said ASU graduate lineman Ben Coleman. "I think a lot of people say that, but a lot of people don't live it that way. I think you can see each and every day."
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Braccio and Madeline Schmitke.
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Daniel is a senior studying sports journalism. This is his first semester with The State Press. He has also worked at WCSN, OC Riptide, 1550 Sports and AZPreps365.
