Well I'd say ability has something to do with it--you don't win a Heisman without an able body.

I mean, I just don't understand at all how this is even an argument. It's not even close.

I agree, if you're talking about NCAA production, and this IS the college football forum, and this question asks for best NCAA backfield, I also think it's USC and it's not close.

2 Heisman winners, and Reggie Bush was better in college than both Brown and Williams.

NFL wise, which is not what this thread is about, it's clearly '03 Auburn.

The thread is located in the college football forum. The guy who started it voted for USC, which clearly means he meant the best college backfield and not NFL. Not to mention the thread title is BEST NCAA BACKFIELD.

There is no argument at all, it isn't even remotely close. '05 USC may be the best college backfield of all time--certainly in the discussion at the very least. It's about as close as comparing Peyton Manning to Derek Anderson.

While it wasn't in the past decade, the 1996 Texas trio of Ricky Williams, Priest Holmes and James Brown was pretty nice as well.

Also, I am pretty sure Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee played in the same backfield in Miami, although I think Gore was hurt one year, not sure if they ever played a full season together.

Just googled a list of starting QBs and tried to matchup the corresponding RBs, this one isn't too bad:

2004 California - QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Marshawn Lynch, RB JJ Arrington

BigAppleBuckeye wrote: Also, I am pretty sure Clinton Portis, Frank Gore and Willis McGahee played in the same backfield in Miami, although I think Gore was hurt one year, not sure if they ever played a full season together.

Gore tore his acl going into 02 season he was staring over McGahee before it happened. His freshmen year he was averaging over 9 yards a carry lol.

Here are some stats from the years in question:

Ronnie Brown (04)
153 Carries, 913 Yards, 8TDs
34 Catches, 313 Yards, 1TD

Cadillac Williams (04)
239 Carries, 1165 Yards, 12TDs
21 Catches, 152 Yards, 1 TD

Jason Cambell (04)
188-270, 2700 Yards, 20TDs, 7INT
3 Rushing TDs.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Reggie Bush (05)
200 Carries, 1740 Yards, 16TDS
37 Catches, 478 Yards, 2TD
1 return TD

Lendale White (05)
197 Carries, 1302 Yards, 24TDs
14 Catches, 219 Yards, 2TD

Matt Leinart (05)
283-431, 3815 Yards, 28TDs, 8INT
6 Rushing TDs

k_boogy wrote: Here are some stats from the years in question:

Ronnie Brown (04)
153 Carries, 913 Yards, 8TDs
34 Catches, 313 Yards, 1TD

Cadillac Williams (04)
239 Carries, 1165 Yards, 12TDs
21 Catches, 152 Yards, 1 TD

Jason Cambell (04)
188-270, 2700 Yards, 20TDs, 7INT
3 Rushing TDs.
---------------------------------------------------------------

Reggie Bush (05)
200 Carries, 1740 Yards, 16TDS
37 Catches, 478 Yards, 2TD
1 return TD

Lendale White (05)
197 Carries, 1302 Yards, 24TDs
14 Catches, 219 Yards, 2TD

Matt Leinart (05)
283-431, 3815 Yards, 28TDs, 8INT
6 Rushing TDs

Point proven. Not close.

SQ exactly right. As you pointed out earlier that everyone has to realize is the question was best NCAA backfield not how they did in the pros, which u cannot determine quite yet becuase their careers in the pros are not over. Thats why I thought it would be interesting to bring up the numbers. Reggie Bush in 05 was unreal

BigAppleBuckeye wrote: While Arkansas didn't have a marquee QB, their 2007 RB/FB trio of Darren McFadden, Felix Jones and Peyton Hillis is tough to beat ... all three have started for NFL teams the past two years.

Agreed that was an amazing trio they had.

As for the thread its USC and its not even close since this is just for their college careers.

Too bad the Minnesota team from 2004 had such a terrible QB Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber were 2 great RBs on that team.

Auburn....USC may have better stats and that's hard to argue against, but I do feel like they had an offense that was meant to put up a big numbers(especially against the subpar defenses that they played). Also, the fact that Brandon Jacobs was the 3rd string running back puts it over the top for me.

03 minnesota

Marion Barber 207 carries, 1196 yards, 17 tds 13 rec, 113 yards

Laurence Maroney 162 carries, 1121 yards, 10 tds 1 rec, 11 yards

Thomas Tapeh 119 carries, 570 yards, 11 tds 8 rec, 86 yards

Asad Abdul-Khaliq 88 carries, 370 yards, 4 tds 158-250, 2401 yards, 17 tds, 5 int

Terry Jackson 55 carries, 256 yards, 1 td