1. Bryce Love, Stanford
Statistically, there are zero reasons to believe that Love should not be the favorite for the Heisman in 2018. I am predicting that he will not win it, not for his output, but because of anti-west coast bias that still exists in college football. Playing mostly night games will not help him with voters.
2. Jonathon Taylor, Wisconsin
Taylor was phenomenal as a freshman at Wisconsin last season, rushing for 1977 yards and 13 scores, while averaging 6.61 yards per carry. Taylor is actually my favorite to win the Heisman in 2018, and Wisconsin may make a national title run on his legs.
3. AJ Dillon, Boston College
Dillon was yet another freshman phenom that brought our focus back to the running backs in the game in the age of the pass happy spread. Dillon may be the first BC Eagle since Doug Flutie to have a very real shot at winning a Heisman in 2018.
4. Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
Hill may be the best RB that the Cowboys have had since Barry Sanders. With a new QB at the helm, his running ability may be as important as anyone in the game this season.
5. Myles Gaskin, Washington
In any other season, he would be tops on the list, but this may be the deepest RB pool that college football has seen in many years. Gaskin is a scoring machine who makes Jake Browning look good. He is the true star player in the Husky offense.
6. Benny Snell, Kentucky
Snell is a guy that nobody talks about, because really, how much Kentucky football is anyone watching? He scored 19 TDs on the ground last season, and will need to get the job done in a big way for Mark Stoops to keep his job.
7. Patrick Laird, California
As the Golden Bears offense evens out under the eye of head coach Justin Wilcox, Laird becomes more important to a program that once lived and died by the pass. That will not be happening anymore, and Laird gets a bigger role in that.
8. JK Dobbins, Ohio State
Dobbins came out of nowhere last season in the season opener, as an injury to Mike Weber opened the door for him, and he never let it close. He should be one of the premier backs in the nation this fall, in a deep pool of like-minded backs.
9. Zack Moss, Utah
He flies under the radar, but the Utes will let him pound the rock this fall as they take a crack at winning their first PAC-12 South title. He is one of those names you had better get used to hearing now, rather than later when he is beating you.
10. Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
Anderson is another in a large group of young backs that are taking over the game. Oklahoma may not throw as much this season, although I will really believe that when I see it, but when they run, Anderson is a premier back who can handle the load, and he should be the best in the Big 12 this fall.
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