Big 12 Week 2 Rushing Yardage Leaders

Week 2 of the 2026 college football season gave fans a fresh look at which running backs are starting to own the ground game in the Big 12. A handful of names popped up on the stat sheets, but the story that stole the headlines was Colorado’s Micah Welch slipping into the conference’s top‑10 after a 100‑yard outing against Weber State.

Welch’s 102 rushing yards on 16 carries marked the first time a Buffaloes back has cracked the top‑ten since Deion Sanders took over the program. The performance not only helped Colorado secure a comfortable win in their home opener, it also vaulted Welch to 9th place on the weekly leaderboard, edging out several seasoned veterans.

Not far behind, Texas Tech’s junior running back Jace Thompson continued to grind out yards, finishing the weekend with 124 yards on 22 attempts. His consistency has kept the Red Raiders in the upper echelons of the rushing chart and gives them a reliable option as they gear up for a tougher conference slate.

West Virginia, meanwhile, still boasts two backs inside the top‑10. Senior tailback Riley McCoy posted a solid 110‑yard effort against Kansas State, while his teammate Jordan “J‑Train” Ellis added 98 yards against TCU, placing both men within striking distance of the conference leader.

At the moment, the leader board looks something like this:

• 1️⃣ Jace Thompson (Texas Tech) – 124 yards
• 2️⃣ Riley McCoy (West Virginia) – 110 yards
• 3️⃣ Micah Welch (Colorado) – 102 yards
• 4️⃣ Jordan Ellis (West Virginia) – 98 yards
• 5️⃣ Other notable backs – 90‑95 yards range

What’s interesting is the spread of yards per carry. Welch averaged 6.4 yards per rush, a figure that rivals the best in the league and suggests he could be a breakout star as the season progresses. Thompson’s 5.6 average is slightly lower, but his durability and ability to pick up tough yards in short‑field situations keep him valuable.

Beyond the numbers, there’s a narrative emerging about the Big 12’s shift toward a more balanced attack. While the conference has long been known for its aerial fireworks, these early rushing numbers hint at coaches leaning on the ground game to control tempo and keep defenses honest.

Looking ahead, the next few weeks will be crucial. Colorado’s upcoming matchup with Texas will test whether Welch can sustain his momentum against a stout defensive line. Texas Tech will travel to face Oklahoma State, a team that has struggled to contain the run. And West Virginia will aim to keep both of its backs healthy as they chase the top spot.

For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: keep an eye on Welch, Thompson, and the West Virginia duo. Their early production could translate into weekly value as the Big 12 settles into its rhythm.

Stay tuned, because as the season unfolds, the rushing leaderboard will likely see new faces, but the early leaders have already set a high bar.