With no word on how long USC suspended tailback Marc Tyler could sit out this season, the battle for who wins the starting job opening week against Minnesota becomes all the more pertinent. Scott M. Reid talked with USC head coach Lane Kiffin, and found out that the remaining top four running backs are still in contention to win the position.
Let's find out more about each of them.
- Junior Curtis McNeal is the most experienced of the bunch--but only in terms of years. Because by experienced, I mean he's rushed six times for 33 yards. In 2009. Plus he's coming off a year of academic ineligibilty. This isn't a candidate who inspires confidence.
- Sophomore Dillon Baxter actually has carried the ball far more than McNeal, and that was in his redshirt year. 4.7 yards per carry isn't anything to be too disappointed about, and now Baxter could be the go-to guy on opening day.
- Redshirt freshman D.J. Morgan and true freshman Amir Carlisle are both in the mix, but you figure both are for sure just to keep the spirits and effort of the two youngsters high while more experienced players handle the load.
Regardless of who gets named the starter, you figure that no one in USC will feel too confident about any of these guys being the workhorse. But running back by committee doesn't sound too bad ...
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