Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 15, 2013

We?re 14 days from the 2013 football season kicking off. Indiana (Indiana State) and Minnesota (UNLV) get things started for the Big Ten on Thursday, Aug. 29 on BTN/BTN2Go. To help count down the days to kickoff, BTN.com is ranking the top 25 players. Join us as we count it down, from 25-1, every day.

No. 14: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

When Rex Burkhead got hurt last year, Abdullah stepped in and the offense didn?t miss a beat as the 5-9, 190-pounder became a workhorse. Now, Abdullah is poised to lead one of the nation?s top running attacks in 2013. Despite his smaller frame, Abdullah is a powerful back who has the ability to run with equal effectiveness both inside and outside. He also has shown excellent ability as a pass receiver out of the backfield. Abdullah?s 1,000-yard rushing season in 2012 marked the third straight year a Nebraska I-back had surpassed the 1,000-yard mark. He and quarterback Taylor Martinez each topped 1,000 rushing yards last season, giving Nebraska a pair of returning 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in school history. The duo is also one of only two returning 1,000-yard pairs in the country for the 2013 season.

View Abdullah's career stats:

Year Team G Rush Yds Yd/Rush TDs Rec Yds Yd/Rec TDs
2011 Neb 13 42 150 3.6 3 1 11 11.0 0
2012 Neb 14 226 1137 5.0 8 24 178 7.4 2
Career 27 268 1287 4.8 11 25 189 7.6 2

BTN.com?s top 25 players of 2013
1. Aug. 28
2. Aug. 27
3. Aug. 26
4. Aug. 25
5. Aug. 24
6. Aug. 23
7. Aug. 22
8. Aug. 21
9. Aug. 20
10. Aug. 19
11. Aug. 18
12. Aug. 17
13. Aug. 16
14. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
15. Brandon Vitabile, C, Northwestern
16. Jack Mewhort, OT, Ohio State
17. Kain Colter, QB, Northwestern
18. Jared Abbrederis, WR, Wisconsin
19. Spencer Long, G, Nebraska
20. Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State
21. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
22. Deion Barnes, DE, Penn State
23. Isaiah Lewis, S, Michigan State
24. James White, RB, Wisconsin
25. Anthony Hitchens, LB, Iowa