Comparing Big Ten running backs to others across the nation

It is no secret that the Big Ten is loaded with talented running backs. Wisconsin junior Melvin Gordon leads the way after his record-setting performance on Saturday vs. Nebraska.

But how does the Big Ten's deep stable of backs stack up to other rushing attacks across the country?

I broke down the statistics and took a look at three rushing categorizes: Rushing yards, touchdowns and yards per carry. I then compared Big Ten rushers to other leading rushers from the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.

From the looks of it, this is a memorable group of Big Ten rushers.

Take a look.

[ MORE: View 2014 Big Ten rushing leaders ]

RUSHING YARDS
Big Ten leader: Melvin Gordon – 1,909 yards (First in nation)
ACC: James Connor (Pitt) – 1,562 yards
Big 12: Samaje Perine (Oklahoma) – 1,001 yards
Pac-12: Javorius Allen (USC) – 1,184 yards
SEC: Cameron Artis-Payne (Auburn) – 1,276 yards

Players in the Top 20 in the country:
Big Ten: 5 (Gordon, Coleman, Cobb, Abdullah, Langford)
Pac-12: 3 (Allen, Perkins, Booker)
ACC: 2 (Connor, Johnson)
SEC: 1 (Artis-Payne)
Big 12: 0

RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
Big Ten leader: Melvin Gordon – 23 (First in nation)
ACC: Jon Hilliman (Boston College) – 19
Big 12: Samaje Perine (Oklahoma) – 14
Pac-12: James Connor (Pitt) – 21
SEC: Josh Robinson (Mississippi State) – 11

Players in the Top 20 in the country:
Big Ten: 6 (Gordon, Abdullah, Langford, Weisman, Coleman, Cobb)
ACC: 1 (Hillman)
Big 12: 3 (Perine, Shock Linwood, Charles Jones)
Pac-12: 3 (Connor, Royce Freeman, Daniel Lasco)
SEC: 3 (Robinson, Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins)

YARDS PER CARRY
Big Ten leader: Melvin Gordon – 8.6 (Third in nation)
ACC: Shaun Wilson (Duke) – 8.6
Big 12: Aaron Green (TCU) – 8.3
Pac-12: Storm Woods (Oregon State) – 6.7
SEC: Todd Gurley (Georgia) – 7.4

Players in the Top 20 in the country:
Big Ten: 2 (Gordon, Coleman)
ACC: 2 (Wilson, Johnson)
Big 12: 2 (Green, Alex Ross)
SEC: 2 (Gurley, Nick Chubb)
Pac-12: 1 (Woods)

Conclusion: This Big Ten group of running backs is special. But we already knew that, right?