The stats: 3,556 rushing yards, 55 touchdowns

The facts: Became Oklahoma State's only Heisman Trophy winner in 1988. ... Rushed for 2,628 yards and 39 touchdowns in 1988, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. ... Rushed for more than 300 yards in four games. ... Had three 100-yard kick returns. ... All-American kick returner in 1987.

The game: On November 13, 1988, Sanders set the major college single-season touchdown record at 31, scoring five times against Kansas in a 63-24 Big 8 Conference romp. He would add eight more TDs that season to push the record to 39.

The reason he gets your vote: Because he's Barry Sanders. He still owns NCAA records for single-season rushing yards, rushing average per game and touchdowns.

The stats: 4,595 rushing yards, 44 touchdowns.

The facts: Oklahoma State's all-time leading rusher, ahead of Barry Sanders, Terry Miller, Ernest Anderson and Tatum Bell. ... Also among OSU's career receptions and scoring leaders. ... Broke the 1,500-yard mark in both 1985 and 1987. ... Two-time Big 8 Conference Offensive Player of the Year. ... Had 21 career 100-yard rushing games in his OSU career. ... One of only three Cowboys to have his jersey retired.

The game: In his last game at Oklahoma State, Thomas rushed for 157 yards and four touchdowns on 33 attempts in a 35-33 win over West Virginia in the 1987 Sun Bowl. Thomas was named the game's MVP.

The reason he gets your vote: He didn't have Sanders' flash, but Thomas relegated Sanders to mop-up and kickoff return duties until his graduation in 1987. While Sanders had the best season in college football history, Thomas' career numbers rank among history's best.