The three best (non-PSU) running backs in college football history

[john4psu]

I realize that choosing your three greatest non-PSU running backs in college football history is akin to trying to choose the three most beautiful women ever but that's another post for another day.

(Wasn't Ranger Dan to do a field of 64 women bracket for that?)

I'm going to go with in no particular order:
Herschel Walker
Barry Sanders
Tony Dorsett

Honorable mention:
O.J. Simpson
Bo Jackson

Your top three?

 

[sluggo72]

I realize that choosing your three greatest non-PSU running backs in college football history is akin to trying to choose the three most beautiful women ever but that's another post for another day.

(Wasn't Ranger Dan to do a field of 64 women bracket for that?)

I'm going to go with in no particular order:
Herschel Walker
Barry Sanders
Tony Dorsett

Honorable mention:
O.J. Simpson
Bo Jackson

Your top three?

Jim Thorpe
Doak Walker
John David Crow

 

[iknojksht]

Jim Brown
Walter Payton
Barry Sanders

 

[Nitt1300]

Walker
Simpson
Dickerson

 

[Ranger Dan]

Wasn't Ranger Dan to do a field of 64 women bracket for that?

Yes, I did initiate that project, but frankly the number of nominations made the process kind of overwhelming. I haven't totally given up on the idea, but have certainly lost momentum. Every month or so, I go back to the nomination posts and copy/past all of the names into a spreadsheet. I'm maybe 20 to 25% done.

 

[StuckinCbus]

Earl Campbell
Barry Sanders
Herschel Walker

 

[GregInPitt]

A mark of a great running back is their performance in big games. Did they lead their team to victory, make the big play, when they were needed. That's why I can not put Hershel Walker on a top 3 list. Head to head he was outperformed by Curt Warner.

Even Joe couldn't top Dorsett.

Dorsett
Campbell
Sanders

Honorable mention: O.J. - when the opposing team lets their grass field grow twice as long in an attempt to slow you down, that's a very high complement......

 

[LemonEars]

OJ Simpson
Herschel Walker
Jim Brown

 

[Obliviax]

Sanders
OJ
Ricky Williams
Marcus Dupree
Bo Jackson

 

[ILLINOISLION]

As tough as deciding on 'ro's three best pics.

Simply, THERE IS NO RIGHT ANSWER!

 

[john4psu]

A mark of a great running back is their performance in big games. Did they lead their team to victory, make the big play, when they were needed. That's why I can not put Hershel Walker on a top 3 list. Head to head he was outperformed by Curt Warner.

Even Joe couldn't top Dorsett.

Dorsett
Campbell
Sanders

Honorable mention: O.J. - when the opposing team lets their grass field grow twice as long in an attempt to slow you down, that's a very high complement......

Greg,
In the '81 Sugar Bowl despite being a marked man, Walker rushed for 150 yards and was named Sugar Bowl MVP in leading the Dawgs to victory over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and a national championship.

 

[GregInPitt]

Greg,
In the '81 Sugar Bowl despite being a marked man, Walker rushed for 150 yards and was named Sugar Bowl MVP in leading the Dawgs to victory over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and a national championship.

Yep, but he couldn't win the big game the year before and was out shown by Warner. So he was 1 or 2. Is .500 average put him at the top of the heap? Not for me.

 

[PennState2005]

Adrian Peterson....I didn't see a lot of these names play but I'd imagine watching AP play was similar to some of these guys. Was built like a house when he was 17-18....still is

 

[LionJim]

O.J.
Campbell
Billy Sims

 

[artsandletters]

I realize that choosing your three greatest non-PSU running backs in college football history is akin to trying to choose the three most beautiful women ever but that's another post for another day.

(Wasn't Ranger Dan to do a field of 64 women bracket for that?)

I'm going to go with in no particular order:
Herschel Walker
Barry Sanders
Tony Dorsett

Honorable mention:
O.J. Simpson
Bo Jackson

Your top three?

In no order:
Bo
Sanders
Campbell
Dupree (just wanted to include a Philly guy)

 

[bjf1991]

I realize that choosing your three greatest non-PSU running backs in college football history is akin to trying to choose the three most beautiful women ever but that's another post for another day.

(Wasn't Ranger Dan to do a field of 64 women bracket for that?)

I'm going to go with in no particular order:
Herschel Walker
Barry Sanders
Tony Dorsett

Honorable mention:
O.J. Simpson
Bo Jackson

Your top three?

Bo

Earl Campbell

OJ

 

[Kiber]

That I watched play:
Earl Campbell
Bo Jackson
Tony Dorsett

Again, I can only vote for guys I saw/watched.

 

[kevina001]

Barry Sanders
Tony Dorsett
Reggie Brooks

 

[kgilbert78]

Gayle Sayers
Jim Brown
OJ