Depth In The Backfield (Fun Stat Nerd: Wisconsin)

UPDATE: Raw Power And The Wisconsin Badgers is now up at the mothership.

I really don't see any way Wisconsin doesn't regress at least a bit in 2011. In replacing two All-Americans on the line, a stud defensive end, and 40% of a thin-but-steady secondary, and in potentially seeing worse fumbles luck and a lesser YPP margin, Wisconsin is going to struggle to finish in the F/+ Top 12 again this fall. That's the bad news. The good news? Nobody else in the Big Ten is likely to finish in the Top 12 either. A weaker Wisconsin squad is still going to fight it out to the last minute with a weaker Ohio State squad for the Leaders? Legends? Leaders (I think) Division title.

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You can win without three good rushers. Obviously. But when you have an identity like Wisconsin's and you have three really good runners like James White, Montee Ball and John Clay? Tough to beat. Below is a look at teams and their three leading rushers. Which teams produced the most yards among their top three? Which produced the best Adj. POE?

Again, more goes into winning than this (just look at the top four teams on the list), but when you combine it with offensive identity, you still get a nice look at the most devastating run games in the country.

(Note: Just to alleviate some confusion, the "Top 3 Adj. POE" figure below looks at the team's three leading rushers according to yards and adds up their Adj. POE. If that makes sense. Let me know if it doesn't.)

Full list after the jump.

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