Forte, Smith have taken similar paths to stardom

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Back in July, Conference USA officials were scrambling to find a face for the league, a poster boy to plug their oft-overlooked product.

Four months later, they have a two-headed monster.

A league still lacking a dominant team is no longer starved for star power, especially at the running back position.

Tulane senior Matt Forte leads the nation in rushing yards (1,642) and rushing average (182.4). He's on pace to finish with the third-highest net total in NCAA history and the highest rushing average since TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson in 2000 (196.2 YPG).

A few stutter steps behind Forte is Central Florida's Kevin Smith, who ranks second nationally in both yards (1,448) and rushing average (160.9). Smith, who held the national rushing lead until Forte began putting up Xbox numbers, is the nation's scoring leader with 19 touchdowns (18 rushing, one receiving).

How good are these two?

Adam Rittenberg: ESPN