How Derrick Henry, Alabama Defense Destroyed Leonard Fournette's Heisman Charge

LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette entered Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night with a chance to essentially lock up the Heisman Trophy. 

After all, his nearest competitor—TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin—had just thrown four picks in a loss to Oklahoma State, and another 100-plus yards against the stout Alabama Crimson Tide front seven on national TV in a battle of two top-four teams would distance himself from the pack.

Instead, it was another running back who walked off the field Saturday night with Heisman hopes shining bright—Alabama's Derrick Henry.

The 6'3", 242-pound junior from Yulee, Florida, ripped off 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries to lead his Crimson Tide to a 30-16 victory over LSU that seemed more like a victory lap than the 60-minute slugfest that it was touted to be.

How did he do it? 

His best work in terms of the race for the Heisman Trophy came when he had his helmet off and was sitting on the sideline chatting with offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin.

Those were the times his defense was busy bringing Fournette back to the pack. The Bama front seven held Fournette in check all night long, allowing him to gain a season-low 31 rushing yards and just one touchdown and visibly frustrating the sophomore from New Orleans.

Henry was quick to point to his defense for setting the tone in the best game of his career.

"Phenomenal," Henry said of Alabama's defense according to quotes emailed by the school. "They work hard every week, they are physical when they finish. They play tough, and that’s the type of play they play with. They took pride and held them under 100 yards (rushing) and just knocked them down playing physical."

With the defense taking care of its end of the Heisman bargain, the door was open for Henry to make a statement.

He did in a big way midway through the second quarter, when he ripped off a 40-yard run to get the Tide in the red zone and then finished off the drive with a two-yard plunge to build a 10-0 lead. 

From there, it was the "Derrick Henry show" due in part to his talent but also an offensive line that, while talented itself, had been going through some ups and downs this year. 

Cam Robinson played a great game at left tackle, center Ryan Kelly was as dominant as ever and freshman guard Ross Pierschbacher—who has drawn the most criticism of anybody on the offensive line—plowed the road for Henry inside.

"[Henry's] having a great year," head coach Nick Saban said in quotes emailed by the school. "He had a great game today. It couldn’t have happened at a better time against a very good defensive team. But I think he’d be the first one to tell you that the offensive line did a really good job today, and I think it was the whole offensive team being well prepared for what they did and going out and blocking their [defensive] front. He did a great job of carrying the ball, so it was special."

This was important, because while LSU is stout up front, the depth isn't there. As the game wore on and that Tiger front continued to get worn down by Henry and the big men up front, head coach Les Miles and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele simply didn't have an answer.

That's the beauty of Henry. 

We already knew he was the best "closer" in college football. He proved that each of the last two seasons backing up T.J. Yeldon when he'd come in during the fourth quarters of games and beat up on worn-down defenses.

John Bazemore/Associated Press

He has proven that he's more than just a bruiser this year by working a defense north/south and east/west early and then leaning on them late to help his team pull away.

If that's not worthy of legitimate Heisman consideration, nothing is.

Henry's emergence has also allowed quarterback Jake Coker to settle in after some inconsistency early. As a result, Coker has become a solid game manager, a difference-maker when needed—like the Tennessee game two weeks ago—and the Crimson Tide have evolved into one of the most complete teams in college football.

Simply put, he's one of the most valuable players in college football in 2015.

As a result, the Crimson Tide are sitting pretty in the race to not only win the SEC West but also to earn a berth in the College Football Playoff and send Henry to New York City with a legitimate shot to claim the school's second-ever Heisman Trophy.

If that happens, it should be considered a team award.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Statistics are courtesy of CFBStats.com.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.