Over the next few weeks the Pac-12 Blog will be doing position group rankings for the conference. Up today is running backs.
Offensive line might be the hardest position group to ranking with the most certainty. Any statistical measure of success is also largely dependent on the skill positions, plus a line can perform at significantly better in pass protection vs. in the run game, and vice versa. To put this list together, some key stats were weighed heavily: sack percentage (percentage of total drop-backs that ended in a sack), quarterback contact percentage (percentage of total drop-backs that end with the opposing defense making contact with the quarterback), yards per carry (running backs only) and percentage of running plays that went for zero or negative yards (usually due to a breakdown up front).