Ranking The Rushers: Ray Graham Slotted Second In Big East

Andrea Adelson over at ESPN.com has her Big East rankings at running back up on the site and Ray Graham came in second behind Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead. Pead is the top returning rusher in the conference, so I understand the argument. But I'd also say that Ray Graham, had he started last season, would have put up bigger numbers in Wannstedt's run-heavy offense.

Todd Graham's offense will mean lots of touches for Ray and I see him as a legitimate candidate for Player of the Year. Add in the fact that Cincinnati should have a pretty potent passing game with Zach Collaros and I think Graham ends up as the conference's leading rusher. But at this point, hard to argue too much against Pead, so I've got no issue with the pick.

As a side note, Andrea also lists Pitt transfer Zach Brown at No. 10:

10. Zach Brown, Pitt. Here is my wild-card pick of the rankings. The Panthers need some relief behind Graham, and Brown provides the experience to be able to take some of the load off. His production may have fallen off at Wisconsin, but he has displayed flashes of potential and could be a surprise player.

Ray will be doing a lot of running and the addition of Brown couldn't have come during a better season.