The start of the football season is just more than four months away for Florida State as the Seminoles open the year against Ole Miss on Labor Day night in Orlando. FSU will look for a fourth ACC title in five years and perhaps a spot in the College Football Playoff this upcoming season.
FSU running back Dalvin Cook is expected to break the school’s all-time rushing record, but he isn’t the only talented back Seminole fans will see this season. Here’s a look at the top 5 backs the Seminoles will face in 2016:
1. Wayne Gallman, Clemson
2015 Stats: 283 carries, 1,527 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns, 21 receptions, 213 yards receiving, 1 touchdown
Though he was overshadowed largely by his quarterback Deshaun Watson last season, Wayne Gallman was one of the ACC’s best backs, amassing more than 1,500 yards on the ground. At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Gallman carried the workload last season for the Tigers. Gallman rushed for 103 yards and a score in last season’s 23-13 win over FSU. The teams will meet this season in Tallahassee on Oct. 29.
2. Elijah Hood, North Carolina
2015 Stats: 219 carries, 1,463 yards rushing, 17 rushing touchdowns
Only Wayne Gallman and Dalvin Cook rushed for more yards last season than North Carolina’s Elijah Hood. At 6-0 and 220 pounds, Hood is a big back, but has good burst. Hood averaged nearly seven yards per carry a season ago and eclipsed the 100-yard mark eight times, including a career-high 220 yards rushing against N.C. State. The Tar Heels will come to Doak Campbell Stadium on Oct. 1.
3. Marlon Mack, South Florida
2015 Stats: 210 carries, 1,381 yards rushing, 8 touchdowns, 1 receiving touchdown
In two seasons on campus at South Florida, Marlon Mack has twice eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark. Mack went for nearly 1,400 yards in 2015 while averaging an efficient 6.6 yards per carry. Mack is the focal point of the USF offense, who can run between the tackles or to the outside. Mack rushed for at least 100 yards on nine occasions last season, including 230 in a 44-23 upset of a ranked Temple team last November. Mack finished with 83 yards on 18 carries against the Seminoles last season in Tallahassee. The Bulls will host FSU on Sept. 24.
4. Joseph Yearby, Miami
2015 Stats: 205 carries, 1,002 yards rushing, 6 touchdowns, 23 catches, 273 yards, 2 touchdowns
Despite pedestrian offensive line play for Miami a season ago, Joseph Yearby broke the 1,000-yard mark rushing as a sophomore. Yearby is stout, but is also a very good receiver out of the backfield. With Mark Walton’s status uncertain, Yearby could have an even bigger role for the Hurricanes in 2016. Yearby was held to just 33 yards rushing on 15 carries against the Seminoles last season, but did catch a touchdown. The teams meet in South Florida this season on Oct. 8.
5. Matt Dayes, N.C. State
2015 Stats: 134 carries, 865 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns
Replacing the injured, Shadrach Thornton, Matt Dayes was off to a terrific start as a junior in 2015 before being sidelined for the final five games of the season with a foot injury. In just seven games last season, Dayes averaged 6.5 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns. Prior to his injury, Dayes was on pace for nearly 1,500 yards on the ground. Dayes and the Wolfpack will host FSU on Nov. 5.
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