LSU vs. Alabama: Trent Richardson and Offensive Stars Who Will Dazzle

The 2012 BCS Championship game is headlined by a number of defensive stars on both the Alabama and LSU sidelines. Ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in total defense, respectively, Alabama and LSU could basically field an NFL defense if they combined forces.

The Crimson Tide alone have five potential first-round picks in this year's NFL draft, and the Tigers sport a Heisman finalist and a likely top-five NFL draft pick of their own.

But these two defenses won't be the only thing on display when the teams take the field in New Orleans.

Neither offense gets a ton of hype, but they feature a few dazzling stars of their own.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

The best running back in the country is the engine of the Crimson Tide offense. While the Tigers have a senior quarterback under center they trust, Alabama has a sophomore it can't trust. This makes Richardson that much more important.

He can do it in between the tackles and out of the backfield.

Richardson's legs never stop and he's strong enough and fast enough to beat entire defense by himself.

The Tide's title hopes rest with their defense, but it's Richardson who will put up the points.

Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

The junior receiver is often overlooked when talking about the Tigers, but he is the team's top offensive weapon.

At 6'4", Randle has great size and athleticism and makes plays all over. He's averaging 18 yards a catch on the season and has eight of the team's 21 receiving touchdowns.

Jordan Jefferson doesn't throw a ton of passes, but when he does drop back he'll be looking for Randle.

He'll have an extremely difficult matchup against the Tide secondary and he caught only two passes the last time these two met.

Expect him to raise the bar in this one.

Marquis Maze, WR, Alabama

The senior receiver is the Tide's top option on the outside and he'll have to be great if this team wants to throw the football.

Maze caught six passes the last time these two played but has his work cut out for him against Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu.

But Maze is also a dangerous, dangerous threat with the ball in his hands and is Alabama's return man for both kicks and punts.

Don't be surprised if he makes a big play on game day.