The talk this year will center on Chris “Beanie” Wells.  Chris Wells rushed for just over 1600 yards last season as a sophomore and did this nursing an ankle injury in the first part of the season and a wrist injury requiring surgery after the season ended.  His yardage last year was an all-time record for sophomores at OSU, which is pretty darn good considering some of the other sophomores that have attended OSU.  He is now fully healed and ready to go.  He has also recently stated that he will be at OSU for all four of his years of eligibility.

Chris Wells (and I will have to continue to use his first name as there is another prominent OSU running back named Maurice Wells) is big at 6’1 237 lbs.  But he is that rare player who combines size with speed.  He is known for a stiff-arm technique that works against all but the biggest and most talented linebackers.  His cuts and foot speed make him a versatile runner and his experience makes him a good blocker, though that was not much seen last year due to the injury to his wrist.

I predict that Wells will get 1800 plus yards this season.  I would predict more, but Tressel reels in the starters whenever the game looks out of reach, so Chris won’t be piling up the yards in the Fourth Quarter against some tired and outmatched defenses.

The number two spot will be held down by either Brandon Saine a 6’1 217 lb sophomore or Maurice Wells, a 5’10 196 Senior.  Saine is perhaps more versatile than Maurice Wells (Saine is a very talented receiver), but Maurice Wells has more experience and is a better blocker when picking up the blitz.  As their roles are different, it is difficult to classify these two as number two or number three.

One other thing to look for will be how QB Terrelle Pryor will be used.  With his size and speed, designed runs with him at the helm will take some yards from this backfield.

OSU rarely runs the end around, especially now that Ted Ginn Jr. is gone, but Ray Small and Brian Hartline have been known to do this at times.  If Jake Stoneburner gets healthy, with his size and speed, you may see him do this now and again. 

The halfback option is rarely, if ever employed.  I think that last time this was attempted, Maurice Clarett threw the ball.

All of the OSU running backs this year will benefit greatly from the ability and experience of the returning Offensive line.  If there is any weakness on that offensive line, it is in pass blocking.  As run blockers, they are the best in the nation.  At some level, it will not be fair to compare them to other running backs around the Big Ten.

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