Productivity-wise, Harris/Fenwick is not much different than Dowdle/Feaster. Right around 5 ypc. The problem last year was scheme. There was no rhyme or reason to the offense. On top of that, the OL was horrendously porous but is MUCH improved this year. You could argue the RBs last year performed better under worse circumstances.
That said, there were 5 games last year where we failed to crack 100 yards rushing. That's obviously a recipe for disaster with a true freshman QB under center and little to no help from the RB position. With some stable RB production this year, the offense is much more balanced and effective.
But, again, it's hard to say with last year's team b/c the offensive strategy was non-existent. Just when it looked like the run game was working, they'd abandon it. Bobo has stuck with it this year.
All that said, just going by the eye test, Harris appears to be quite a step up from what we had last year.
Agree about Harris and the eye test. All I know is when I watch him play I see the best back since Lattimore. Sometimes you just keep it simple and try to analyze things to death. Eye test tells me what I need to know.