Best college backfield of all time?

[JoshScottWVU]

You Texas guys have had some good backfields and have played against some of the greats (90's Nebraska teams).

Who do you think is the top backfield of all times? I mean production in college not what they went on to do in the pro's.

We had a pretty good one with Pat White, Steve Slaton, Owen Schmitt, and Noel Devine. They were all on the team that blasted Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

One player like Ricky Williams or Ron Dayne can make a backfield but its really not complete with just one player.

What do you guys think?

 

[beevomav]

In 1977 Texas had a backfield of Ham Jones and guy named Earl Campbell. Earl rushed for over 1700 yards and Ham ran for another 550. Pretty good one.

but...

my best backfield was the 1970 Longhorns..That team had (3) running backs with nearly 900 yards. Eddie Phillips with 830 yards, Jim Bertelsen with 893 yards and the ultimate Wishbone fullback Steve Worster had 898 yards.

 

[bbdude]

Interesting topic. We have had some great backfields in my time as a student and now adult watching Texas football. The BMW trio was fun to watch. The hardest working man in college football - James Brown, Shonn Mitchell and Ricky Williams. Add Priest Holmes and you have a 1996 backfield that beat Nebraska in the inaugural Big XII championship. If you haven't seen the trick play on 4th and inches it was one of the greatest calls I have ever seen. We were underdogs playing against the best team in the country. It was supposed to be a regular quarterback sneak. Instead it was pure beauty.

 

[beevomav]

but...Dude...

Not three near 1000 yard rushers.

Ricky had 1272

Shon Mitchell had 650

Priest Holmes had but 335

Not the only time a back up at UT went on to greatness in the NFL..Jamal Charles comes to mind..

 

[bbdude]

but...Dude...
Not three near 1000 yard rushers.

Ricky had 1272

Shon Mitchell had 650

Priest Holmes had but 335

Not the only time a back up at UT went on to greatness in the NFL..Jamal Charles comes to mind..

It is more of the nostalgia for me. Texas football was mediocre while I was in Austin. We struggled to beat teams like North Texas and Rice. Hell I remember when we tied Pittsburgh it was a huge accomplishment (I think it was '93 or '94). That win with WIlliams, Holmes and Mitchell was the turning point for Texas football as we know it. Sure we were embarassed by Jeff Tedford and Cade McNown the following year but Priest Holmes owned the NFL backfield for a few years and Ricky Williams.... well, he is Ricky.

We can throw Jamal Charles, Cedric Benson, and a host of others' names in there too. Texas has a long history of stud running backs and the three we have now (Bergeron, Brown and Gray) will be talked about in the same manner in 20 years.

 

[beevomav]

Ah the days of the football team losing, a sorry basketball team and mediocre at best baseball team.

Sounds like now

Pretty bad when Baylor is kicking our asses.

 

[Lord Vader]

Tommy Frazier/Lawrence Phillips must be in this discussion