6. Iowa RB LeShun Daniels (or Akrum Wadley)

Running backs within the Iowa football program incur inherent risk the moment they don the black and gold. Because of the Angry Iowa Running Back-Hating God, deeming a Hawkeye ball-carrier a top Big Ten Heisman candidate is risky business.

So I’m suggesting two.

Either LeShun Daniels or Akrum Wadley could move into the featured spot Jordan Canzeri manned successfully much of Iowa’s Rose Bowl campaign. Both demonstrated flashes of greatness last year, with Daniels going on a three-game tear with multiple rushing touchdowns and Wadley had an absurd 204-yard, four-touchdown game against Northwestern.

Should either take the reins as Iowa’s clear-cut No. 1, they have a proven ability to erupt.

5. Michigan State RB L.J. Scott

Sharing carries in a running back committee, L.J. Scott still shined in his freshman campaign. More noteworthy, Scott stood out when the Spartans most needed an offensive spark.

He rushed for 11 touchdowns last season, eight of which came in four, multiple-touchdown games. Of those four contests, all were single-digit Spartan wins, including Oregon and Michigan. That’s about as close to a quantifiable Clutch Stat as you’re ever going to see.