Top 25 RB rankings entering Week 9 of college football

It’s steady at the top of the On3 Top 25 running back rankings heading into Week 9, as the Top 6 running backs from Week 8 remain in their slots. Plus, only one new running back moved into the Top 25.

The conference breakdown is as follows: Five from the Big Ten and Big 12, four from the SEC and Group of 5 schools, three from the Pac-12, two from the ACC and one Notre Dame running back.

Check out the full On3 Top 25 running backs for Week 9 below.

1. Blake Corum, Michigan

Corum and Michigan rolled into the bye week undefeated and looking dominant on the field. He’s the national leader in rushing touchdowns with 13.

But the storylines around Michigan will be all about the unfolding sign-stealing scandal. Corum and Michigan will be back in action on Nov. 4 to play a pivotal final four games.

2. Audric Estimé, Notre Dame

Estimé and Notre Dame were off in Week 8 following a big rivalry win. His 787 rushing yards is No. 11 nationally.

Barring injury, Estimé should keep carrying the ball plenty behind a stout Irish line. And with just two losses, an undefeated run to the end of the season could land Notre Dame in a New Years Six bowl if the rest of the field breaks right.

3. Jonathon Brooks, Texas

Brooks carried for 99 yards as Texas had to grind out a win on the road. And with Quinn Ewers out for the time being, it’s a safe bet Brooks will get a full load of carries this weekend.

Brooks has also been one of the most productive running backs in the country all season. He’s got 825 yards, good for No. 7 nationally at this point.

4. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Hampton by no means struggled but North Carolina still lost. He toted the ball for 112 yards but couldn’t break through for a touchdown.

Hampton’s production has ticked up of late after a lull through the early season. He’s averaging 154.5 yards per game in his last two outings.

5. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Allen and Wisconsin ground out a road win on Saturday, scoring on a late touchdown pass to an offensive tackle. But for most of the day, it was Allen running behind those tackles.

Allen carried 29 times for 145 yards and a touchdown. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry this year.

6. Ray Davis, Kentucky

Kentucky is coming off a bye week and Davis will surely be back to his usual role pacing the offense. And ideally with rested legs.

So far in seven games this season, Davis has 781 yards and eight touchdowns. But he’s also been effective as a receiver, catching 15 passes for 193 yards and five scores.

7. MarShawn Lloyd, USC

Lloyd continued to flash his explosiveness in another loss for USC. He carried just seven times but had 86 yards and a touchdown.

That’s 12.3 yards a carry. On the season, he’s averaging just under eight yards per carry.

8. Jawhar Jordan, Louisville

Jordan and Louisville were also off in Week 8 and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Jordan barely played in a Week 7 loss in which he got injured early.

The hope is he can be healthy enough to play after the bye, but it’s not yet clear if he’ll go. If he does, he can bring an explosive element both as a rusher and pass catcher.

9. Damien Martinez, Oregon State

If it weren’t for a dreadful second half against Washington State, Oregon State and Martinez could be undefeated and sitting pretty. Even still, the Beavers have rolled along behind a robust rushing attack.

Oregon State was off in Week 8 like many teams, and should be rested for a stretch run in the Pac-12. Martinez can also try to close out a first 1000-yard season in his college career.

10. Jaylen Wright, Tennessee

Tennessee looked stellar in the first half vs. Alabama before getting shutout in the second. And Wright struggled along with the offense.

He carried just 11 times for 22 yards. He was effective as a pass catcher, though, taking seven receptions for 44 yards.

Running backs No. 11 through 25

11. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
12. Bucky Irving, Oregon
13. Marcus Carroll, Georgia State
14. Emani Bailey, TCU
15. Nate Noel, Appalachian State
16. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
17. Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
18. Devin Neal, Kansas
19. Darius Taylor, Minnesota
20. Rasheen Ali, Marshall
21. Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
22. Kimani Vidal, Troy
23. Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
24. Jase McClellan, Alabama
25. Ollie Gordon Jr., Oklahoma State

Gordon (No. 25) enters the Top 25 after a blistering performance for 282 yards and four touchdowns in a win. Mississippi State’s Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks subsequently has slipped from the ranking.