Most intriguing questions heading into the 2019 college football season

Will Jonathan Taylor become the NCAA’s all-time leading rusher?

Back in 2016 a 5’9”, 175-pound running back named Donell Pumphrey from San Diego State set an NCAA record with 6405 yards career rushing yards in a big win over Houston in the Las Vegas Bowl. Right now, Wisconsin superstar Jonathan Taylor sits at 4171 after two consecutive years of brilliance, putting up the highest rushing yardage mark for any freshman ever and last season being named a Unanimous First-Team All-American.

For as much as you can talk about the stellar offensive lines they have had for about a decade now in Madison, Taylor is also clearly one of the top backs in the nation, with the power that earned him over 1300 yards after contact and the explosive burst that led to 61 runs of 10+ yards last season. If he can surpass his yardage total from last year by a little more than 200 yards, just like he did from his freshman to sophomore campaign, he has a good chance of rewriting the record books once again – in a year less than Pumphrey.

At this point, Taylor is averaging 154.5 rushing yards per game on 6.9 yards-per-carry with more than a touchdown per game. As crazy as those numbers might seem, setting a new mark would once again bring up some controversy.

The NCAA only started counting bowl game statistics back in 2002. If they didn’t do that, former Badger Ron Dayne would still be more than 300 yards in front of Pumphrey, and if they decided to subsequently add his bowl statistics, Dayne would be far ahead with 7125 yards on the ground. As it stands, “only” 6397 of those count for the record books and I think the legendary RB has a reason to be upset. Assuming Taylor will go pro after his junior year, it would take another special season from the star back, but I’m sure Dayne wouldn’t mind seeing a current Badger bring the record back to Wisconsin.