USC Football Roundtable: Should USC lean on running back by committee?

Oct 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans tailback Tre Madden (23) is pursued by Arizona Wildcats cornerback Jonathan McKnight (6) on a 62-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Trenise Ferreira:

Running back by committee seems to be working, so why ruin a good thing? As USC travels to South Bend this weekend, we can expect to see a lot of that increasingly-stout running game. The bevy of backs that USC has makes the running game difficult to defend, and really allows USC to grind out the yards that  will serve the Trojans well in this tough road challenge. When it comes to the running game, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Matthew Moreno:

I think USC should use a running backs by committee approach unless/until one or two really separate themselves from the pack.  Obviously, Madden was on his way to establishing himself, but the injury he suffered against Arizona will probable stymy some of his momentum.

The Trojans have a bevy of talented running backs and each presents a unique skill set.  For now, I think the play here could be to shuffle them in and out of the game early, and go with the hot hand(s) late.

Josh Webb:

I think that answer is completely obvious. There is absolutely no reason why every, single one of those talented backs shouldn’t touch the ball like that. The last time five Trojans rushed for more than 30 yards in a game was 1990. That’s some pretty special running. No reason to dial it back.

Alicia de Artola:

There’s certainly an argument to be made for getting the ball into the hands of all of USC’s capable playmakers, but I’m going to go against the grain. If Tre Madden and Silas Redd are both healthy, they should shoulder the bulk of the carries as a pair. That’s not to say that Justin Davis, Buck Allen and even Ty Isaac aren’t capable and exciting young players. They just aren’t the ones I want with the ball in their hands when it matters most.This season, the Trojans have averaged 40 rush attempts a game. There’s only so many carries to go around and I’d rather see Madden get 20 carries than ten. I’d rather see Redd get 15 than eight.