Imani Cross...

So which is it? Is Cross just used in short yardage situations or do the coaches try to use him like Ameer? Both claims have been made in this thread.

 
I would like to see more I Formation sets with Cross and Abdullah in the backfield.
this times a million...
I got a fever, and the only prescription is more jet sweep. Looked good against Georgia, even though the motion man was always just a decoy.
Didnt Enunwa get a jet sweep on the first drive and just get destroyed behind the line of scrimmage. It seemed like the jet sweep had Georgia's attention. Don't know why. Newby needs to be our jet sweep guy this year, like Melvin Gordon did for Montee's senior year. Watching Newby run that sweep action would put a little fear into the other team to defend the perimeter.

 
So which is it? Is Cross just used in short yardage situations or do the coaches try to use him like Ameer? Both claims have been made in this thread.
The former. I'm not sure where the notion comes from that they try to use him like AA, because the majority of his work happens in between the tackles. He's been used outside occasionally but not often. Arguably his best run of the year last year (the double spin move touchdown run against Wyoming) was a designed run between the tackles.

 
Newby > Cross
Based on what? Here's the rushing stats:
Code:
 RUSHING GP-GS Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G ------------------------------------------------------------------- Abdullah, Ameer 13-13 281 1722 32 1690 6.0 9 62 130.0 Cross, Imani 13-0 85 458 11 447 5.3 10 51 34.4 Newby, Terrell 13-0 54 302 4 298 5.5 2 23 22.9
Cross leads Newby in every category except ypc (5.5 vs 5.3 is negligible). Newby and Cross had 3 fumbles apiece (thanks to Warrior10). I couldn't find fumbles, so Newby could have less, but I doubt it. EDIT: Sorry about the formatting. It looked fine in the preview.
It's called looking at film and based on potential. People are too excited that Cross has big muscles, but that doesn't mean anything to me. I still think he doesn't run with enough power for his size. I ike the kid and hope he proves me wrong, but just giving you a honest opinion of what I see - no need to get all giddy my man

In 2011 Ameer had 42 carries for 150 yards (3.6 per carry) the next season he goes for over 1,000

 
I'm glad we have a running back who can carry the ball 20 - 25 times a game, who gets even stronger in the fourth quarter, who averages over 5 yards a carry - even against the best defense in the NCAA - and is enterting his senior season on the short list of Heisman contenders.

I'm glad his back up also got legitimate carries in high-pressure situations and scored 10 touchdowns. Even in his role of short yardage meat pounder -- a great calling card for the NFL by the way -- he had a couple awesome breakaway long-gainers.

I'm glad we're arguing about which of the third, fourth and fifth-string running backs is hungrier and more deserving of the featured role when Abdullah graduates.

I forgot. What are we bitching about again?

 
I'm glad we have a running back who can carry the ball 20 - 25 times a game, who gets even stronger in the fourth quarter, who averages over 5 yards a carry - even against the best defense in the NCAA - and is enterting his senior season on the short list of Heisman contenders.

I'm glad his back up also got legitimate carries in high-pressure situations and scored 10 touchdowns. Even in his role of short yardage meat pounder -- a great calling card for the NFL by the way -- he had a couple awesome breakaway long-gainers.

I'm glad we're arguing about which of the third, fourth and fifth-string running backs is hungrier and more deserving of the featured role when Abdullah graduates.

I forgot. What are we bitching about again?
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I'm glad we have a running back who can carry the ball 20 - 25 times a game, who gets even stronger in the fourth quarter, who averages over 5 yards a carry - even against the best defense in the NCAA - and is enterting his senior season on the short list of Heisman contenders.

I'm glad his back up also got legitimate carries in high-pressure situations and scored 10 touchdowns. Even in his role of short yardage meat pounder -- a great calling card for the NFL by the way -- he had a couple awesome breakaway long-gainers.

I'm glad we're arguing about which of the third, fourth and fifth-string running backs is hungrier and more deserving of the featured role when Abdullah graduates.

I forgot. What are we bitching about again?
This. x 1,000,000

 
BTN Staff chooses Cross as one of three most under-rated players in 2014:

Imani Cross, RB, Nebraska. There are so many good choices here, but I’m going with a guy who doesn’t receive a ton of publicity, simply because he plays behind Ameer Abdullah, one of the top backs in the nation. Cross is a force in the backfield, and he could start for a number of teams. In 2013, the 6-1, 225 pound back rushed 85 times for 447 yards and 10 touchdowns, good enough for 10th in the Big Ten. Even more impressive, he scored on every 8.5 carries, far and away the best number among the conference’s rushing TD leaders. Cross has that unique size/speed combo, which is something you love to see in a running back. The Big Ten is loaded with talented backs, so you often forget about the guys outside of the big names such as Melvin Gordon, Ameer Abdullah and Jeremy Langford. Don’t forget about Cross heading into this season.
 
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Cross is an inside power runner, he does not have break away speed, but he is tough and durable. he is meat and potatoes, not bread and butter, he will be always in a reserve role, coaches like break away speed in their feature backs...but i still like the kid.

 
Cross is an inside power runner, he does not have break away speed, but he is tough and durable. he is meat and potatoes, not bread and butter, he will be always in a reserve role, coaches like break away speed in their feature backs...but i still like the kid.
Wow I do not agree with that in the slightest. If Ameer went down I'd be more than OK with Imani. Dude is a beast and is one of the true workers on the team.

 
Cross is an inside power runner, he does not have break away speed, but he is tough and durable. he is meat and potatoes, not bread and butter, he will be always in a reserve role, coaches like break away speed in their feature backs...but i still like the kid.
Wow I do not agree with that in the slightest. If Ameer went down I'd be more than OK with Imani. Dude is a beast and is one of the true workers on the team.
coaches like break away speed in their feature backs...but i still like the kid.

 
Cross is an inside power runner, he does not have break away speed, but he is tough and durable. he is meat and potatoes, not bread and butter, he will be always in a reserve role, coaches like break away speed in their feature backs...but i still like the kid.
Wow I do not agree with that in the slightest. If Ameer went down I'd be more than OK with Imani. Dude is a beast and is one of the true workers on the team.
Absolutely.

 
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