• LaMichael James

James is the crucial piece of the Ducks' point-a-minute spread offense, which relies on an incredible pace set by the rapidity of their tailback for lightning scores. James is averaging over 7 yards per carry while gaining 1,210 yards rushing, the most by any NCAA running back. The sophomore has also sprinted for 14 scores this season, including 3 at USC last Saturday. At 5'9, 185 lbs, James relies on acceleration out of shotgun handoffs to slice through opposing defenses. James' speed in the open field is spectacular, but it is his initial, flashing cuts that leave wakes of empty hands and fallen linebackers. With Oregon sitting at number 1 in the polls, James is a Heisman favorite and the nation's best back.

• Kendall Hunter

Any time a back passes Barry Sanders in the record books, as Hunter did last weekend with his 18^th career 100-yard game as a Cowboy, notice should be taken. Hunter is third in the NCAA with 1,174 yards rushing and in his senior season has established himself as a more than capable complement to Coach Mike Gundy's downfield attack. With star receiver Justin Blackmon suspended for last Saturday's game against Kansas State, Hunter used his widescreen vision as a ball carrier to pile up 143 yards and his, until this point, unseen skills as a receiver to catch 6 balls for 92 yards. Hunter is demonstrating surprising strength for his 5'8 frame and a gunshot burst behind the Cowboys' solid offensive line on his way to leading the Big 12 in rushing and Oklahoma State to the top of the conference NCAA Football standings.

• Bilal Powell

The Cardinals' difficult season continued this past Saturday with a disheartening loss at Pittsburgh and Powell, who left the game with a leg injury, was as culpable as anyone in the defeat. Still, this was not signifying of how Powell has played all season long as he has accumulated 1,067 yards rushing at a rate of 7 yards per carry. A senior, Powell headed into this season as the backup to Victor Anderson but after a 153 yard performance against Kentucky in the first week, Powell emerged as the Cardinals' lead ball carrier and best player. Powell stands at 6'1, 215 lbs, so he uses a punishing running style to break tackles and turn what would be bottled-up short gains into big plays. If the Cardinals have any hope of finishing above .500 in the standings, they'll need their horse to be healthy and charging ahead.

• Chad Spann

Spann emerged from a four-way competition in the Huskies backfield to rank 6^th in the nation thus far in rushing with 1,000 yards. Spann has improved his rushing total every year since he's arrived at Northern Illinois in the wake of all-time Husky Garrett Wolfe's departure to the NFL. In his senior season, Spann has now realized his potential as an every down back for NI coach Jerry Kill and is showing the benefits of his intensified off-season training regimen on Saturdays as he breaks tackles and grinds down defenses with his increased strength.

• Daniel Thomas

As defenses continue to stack the box against the pedestrian KSU passing offense, the resilient Thomas pushes on, gaining 996 rushing yards thus far, a number of NCAA Football Scores. Thomas, who was a junior college All-American option quarterback before joining the Wildcats in 2009, has persevered through academic issues and a position change to become one of the nation's best backs and an intriguing NFL prospect. Thomas is a big back who often breaks the initial tackle yet he also has good speed to continue runs. In addition to his skills as a ball carrier, Thomas is also a capable receiver and reliable pass blocker, and, having played quarterback for the bulk of his young career leading up to his time at Manhattan, is a dangerous option out of wildcat formations.