PFF: Highest graded returning B1G RBs (#1. Mohamed Ibrahim, Minn)

[SixBySix]

I think this is a good take. That's one reason I think Veritas is flawed in his view that the defense is going to regress based on the starters we lost. He says if the backups were as good as the starters they should have been starting last year. I think the older player typically gets the nod even if the younger guy is slightly better. Just out of respect and the expectation that the more experienced guy will make better on field decisions and fewer mistakes even if less talented physically.

I'm not sure if I agree with this. We've seen plenty of older players with a history of getting time lose reps to better, younger guys. However, I do think that it's easy to discount the improvement a player can make over eight months in the off season. Just because a back-up wasn't better than the starter in the fall of 2019 doesn't mean they won't be better than that player was in the fall of 2020.

 

[btowngopher]

I'm not sure if I agree with this. We've seen plenty of older players with a history of getting time lose reps to better, younger guys. However, I do think that it's easy to discount the improvement a player can make over eight months in the off season. Just because a back-up wasn't better than the starter in the fall of 2019 doesn't mean they won't be better than that player was in the fall of 2020.

I'm not saying the more talented young guys never replace the older players. I'm saying the equal to maybe even just slightly more talented young guy often takes a back seat to the more experienced player. I'm sure examples are out there, but I can't think of many recent examples off the top of my head where the younger guy replaced an equally talented older guy.

 

[Cruze]

I thought Mo should’ve been the #1 back last year. Lots of people were saying he was not as good as Rodney or Shannon despite the numbers he put up. Mo could make some big strides this year if he can avoid getting signed up.

I agree. Last year Mo was not only underrated by the media and fans, I believe he was also underutilized by Fleck and his coaches. The way Mo has played in the final few Big 10 games and bowl games in each of his first two seasons has been an absolute joy to watch.

 

[Some guy]

I sort of got carried away in remembering how good the Brooks and Smith were before the injuries, andhad unrealistic expectations for them last year. Neither one was ever quite back to what they used to be even if they had their moments. (Brooks vs. Illinois and Nebraska,) Brooks looked smaller, and Smith seemed a little slower although still quick.

Also, it seems silly now but I forgot how great Mo was down the stretch in 2018, and watching those runs in the Outback Bowl made me realize how much we missed him during parts of the year.

He might have been banged up, but he probably deserved more carries all year in 2019.

The last point I think is tough. I think Smith and healthy brooks are better than Mo. I think Mo happens to be the best of the three of them at one specific type of play (inside zone) and that type of play happens to be our best and most commonly used play.

If we were trying to run outside zone or throw the ball to the back...I would pick Mo 3rd of the 3. They’re all good.