CHICAGO -- Maybe the question surrounding Penn State standout sophomore tailback Saquon Barkley isn't whether he is the best runner in the Big Ten in 2016.

He may have been the best pure tailback in the conference last season after running for more than 1,000 yards behind the Nittany Lions' suspect offensive line.

Don't agree?

Well, then consider what Michigan State linebacker Riley Bullough said Tuesday when asked about Barkley during Big Ten Media Days here.

"To me, (Barkley) was the best back that we went against last year,'' said Bullough, a second-team All-Big Ten pick who recorded 106 tackles for the Spartans.

Just to be clear: Michigan State played Ohio State and Ezekiel Elliott in Columbus last fall, winning 17-14 and holding Elliott to 33 yards on 12 carries.

Elliott was the No. 4 overall pick of the Dallas Cowboys.

Penn State was bludgeoned by Michigan State 55-16 last November but Barkley did some damage, gaining 103 yards on 17 carries.

When Bullough was reminded that he was placing the 5-11, 220-pound Barkley above Elliott in terms of physical ability, the Spartan didn't exactly back away from his initial statement.

Better than Elliott?

"Yeah,'' Bullough said.

He added: "I think they bring different things to the table. Barkley was a great back, he was hard to tackle.

"But you know, so was Elliott. So you know, it's hard to say but seeing what Barkley did against us, it was impressive.''

Two top Northwestern defenders also were wowed by Barkley last season. The Wildcats rallied past PSU 23-21 in Evanston but Barkley ripped NU for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, adding 50 more yards on six receptions.

"Top five,'' said Northwestern star linebacker Anthony Walker on Monday when asked about Barkley.

"Definitely (one of the) top-five running backs that I've ever faced.

"Right after the game, I went up to (Barkley) and I told him, that was one helluva game from him. He's dominant. He really runs the ball well, he runs low.''

You have to consider the sources, here. Walker was an All-American in 2015. His nickname is "The Franchise".

"You have to bring it or he's going to bring it to you,'' Walker said of Barkley.

"That was a great battle last year between me and him, and our whole defense.''

Added Northwestern defensive back Matthew Harris: "(Barkley's) versatile.

"He was able to make cuts and get out and break tackles in ways that a veteran would do.''

High praise, indeed. But Barkley has that rare combination of speed and power that can confound the best defenses. He also was dominant against Ohio State in a loss, gaining 194 yards despite having a 40-yard touchdown wiped out by a penalty.

"Fast, quick and athletic,'' Michigan State's Riley Bullough added of Barkley.

"And when you have those three things at running back, I think you're going to do great things.

"I think you'll see more of that out of him.''