A look at Ashton Jeanty's path to breaking Barry Sanders' single-season rushing record

Jeanty's toughest remaining game is Boise State's next, following a Week 8 bye.

UNLV has held three of its five FBS opponents under four yards per rushing attempt, successfully limiting Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen (19 carries, 71 yards) and Fresno State running back Malik Sherrod (nine carries, five yards) earlier this season.

Last season, the teams met in the Mountain West championship game, where Jeanty scored on a physical direct hand-off carry, meeting former Rebels defensive back Jaxen Turner with a shoulder in the end zone.

Per Game On Paper, UNLV ranks 24th in expected points added (EPA) against the run per play (-0.11), so Jeanty must match its toughness to maintain his historic pace.

2. SAN DIEGO STATE (3-3, 2-0 in Mountain West) | Nov. 1

95th • 167.2 • 35 carries, 287 yards

Jeanty recorded his first of five career 200-yard games last season against the Aztecs, rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-31 win.

He scored a 58-yard touchdown, breaking a pair of tackle attempts at the Aztecs' 34-yard line on his path to the end zone.

Cal running back Jaivian Thomas gained 169 yards on 17 carries against San Diego State earlier this season as the Golden Bears became the second team to rush for at least 200 yards versus the Aztecs in 2024.

3. NEVADA (3-4, 0-1 in Mountain West) | Nov. 9

72nd • 146.6 • eight carries, 73 yards

The Wolfpack recently allowed 154 rushing yards to Oregon State junior running back Anthony Hankerson. Troy running back Damien Taylor (11 carries, 103 yards) and Minnesota running back Darius Taylor (11 carries, 124 yards) have also had huge games against Nevada, making the Week 11 home date an excellent matchup for Jeanty.

4. SAN JOSE STATE (4-2, 2-1 in Mountain West) | Nov. 16

93rd • 166.2 • 24 carries, 167 yards

The 2024 Heisman front-runner made up for two lost fumbles against the Spartans last year with 182 total yards and a crucial hurdle over a defender on a 4th-and-1 to help extend the Broncos' lead in a 35-27 win.

San Jose State's run defense has been particularly porous over its past three games, allowing an average of 204.3 yards to Washington State, Nevada and Colorado State.

5. WYOMING (1-5, 1-1 in Mountain West) | Nov. 23

101st • 171.3 • 19 carries, 144 yards

The Cowboys will have a difficult time wrangling Jeanty in their pre-Thanksgiving matchup.

Jeanty's biggest challenge against Wyoming might be his ability to stay on the field. Head coach Spencer Danielson has pulled Jeanty with Boise State up big twice this season, and there's a decent chance he'll have the same decision to make against the Cowboys.

6. OREGON STATE (4-2) | Nov. 29

117th • 197.7 • four carries, 16 yards

In five games against FBS competition, Oregon State has allowed 840 yards on 127 carries (6.6 yards per carry) to running backs, including 168 yards to Purdue running back Devin Mockobee, 137 yards to Nevada running back Savion Red and 140 yards to Colorado State back Avery Morrow.

Jeanty received minimal playing time in the last meeting between the two programs, his first collegiate game.

He should make up for his lack of experience against the Beavers in a big way in the Broncos' regular-season finale.

Per Game On Paper, Oregon State ranks 133rd out of 134 FBS programs in EPA/play against the run and 134th in defensive run success rate (52.6 percent).

Even if Jeanty falls behind Sanders' pace over the course of the season's second half, Oregon State is an excellent opponent for the running back to make up potential lost ground.