*Marion Barber 2004 Stats
Att Yds Avg TD
231 1,269 5.5 11
Total--3,276 (in 3 seasons, Barber got injured and took a medical redshirt in 2002)
Maroney and Barber were both unbelievable college backs. That said, this is one of those issues that separates casual fans/blowhard know nothing pundits from more serious fans and knowledgeable experts. If you looked purely at the yards per carry average they would slightly favor Maroney (5.2, 6.2, and 6.9 yards versus 6.3, 5.8, and 5.5 yards in each player's 3 most productive seasons.
However, there is a lot that is left out of that equation. Glen Mason's offense was an intricate and elaborate network of plays highlighted by myriad ball fakes and pulling linemen. Maroney's strength was his lightning speed and decisive 1 cut style. Barber was a tough nosed power back who virtually never lost yardage on a play, had exceptional balance, and broke more tackles than anyone not named Ron Dayne. Because of this Barber had a much higher percentage of his carries on plays that went between the tackes, while Maroney constantly got the ball on outside looks where he could find daylight
Barber had the speed to break away and take it to the house (which he often did), but he wasn't the burner Maroney was. Maroney was freakishly fast but struggled to shake tacklers and never developed any make you miss moves. In contrast Barber had really nice moves which he would mix in to complement his powerful style and keep the defense guessing.
In conclusion BOTH Barber and Maroney were elite college backs whose contrasting styles benefitted the other immensely. (Remember, Maroney had the worst yds/carry average of either back during the course of a full season of playing at Minnesota, and it happened once Barber had left for the pros).
Again, let me stress both were elite, but if you had to pick one Barber was the more complete back. Barber could break tackles and get you yards without any blocking, but also had the speed and agility to take it the house and outrun the defense. Maroney's speed was insane, but his lack of moves or tackle breaking ability lends the clear nod to Barber.
It's often a mistake to make blanket statements based on what one perceives 'most people' think.