Alabama Football Running Back Battle: Mark Ingram vs. Trent Richardson
Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson give top-ranked Alabama one of the best running back tandems in the entire country. When one of them goes out, the other is more than capable of picking up the slack.
Ingram will miss the Crimson Tide's season opener against San Jose State after undergoing minor knee surgery Tuesday.
Ingram's injury opens the door for Richardson to stand alone in the spotlight for the first time. The sensational sophomore might just be the most talented member of the Tide's backfield, and he will get his chance to showcase his skills on a full-time basis Saturday.
Let's take a look at how the two talented 'Bama backs stand up against each other in a variety of categories.
No. 10: Intangibles
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Ingram's toughness and leadership was evident during his 2009 Heisman Trophy winning season, and gives him an early edge over Richardson.
After playing extensively as a freshman, Ingram took the next step last year and became a solid receiver and pass-blocker.
Raw talent isn't everything. Experience still matters.
Advantage: Ingram
No. 9: Living Up To the Hype
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Hype itself doesn't matter, but the ability to live up to it does.
Ingram shined in the spotlight last season, and Richardson also showed a flare for the dramatic with his 100-yard effort in the National Championship game.
After winning the Heisman, Ingram appears poised to succeed Tim Tebow as College Football's next iconic figure. How will he handle the pressure?
Richardson quickly ascended to national prominence during the course of his freshman season and has created some distance between himself and a host of talented running backs on Alabama's roster anxious to get carries behind Ingram.
Now that he is a household name, it will be interesting to see if Richardson's performance fades.
Advantage: The jury is still out.
No. 8: Speed
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Transitioning into the more concrete comparisons, speed is one of the biggest differences between the two players.
Richardson's breakaway speed is impossible to miss, and he provides a big-play threat whenever he touches the ball.
Ingram is no slouch, but there is simply no way he can match Richardson's wheels.
Advantage: Richardson
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No. 7: Agility
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Both players have happy feet, which makes it difficult to determine a clear leader in this particular category.
Richardson has a slashing, straight line style and prefers to make only one cut when carrying the ball. Ingram might be slightly more nimble and willing to cutback with the ball in his hands.
This one is just too close to call.
Advantage: Draw
No. 6: Explosion
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Both players are huge big play threats.
Ingram averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season despite being the focal point of opposing defenses geared to stop the run. Although he clearly has better speed, Richardson averaged nearly one fewer yard per carry than his counterpart.
Ingram's ability to explode for long plays in the passing game gives him a slight edge here.
Advantage: Ingram
No. 5: Power
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In terms of size, Richardson is an inch taller and slightly heavier than Ingram. That doesn't mean he is more powerful.
The compact Ingram distinguished himself from the competition during his sophomore season by showing an astounding ability to run through tackles and keep his balance. His lofty yards per carry average can be directly attributed his physical nature as a runner.
Richardson has the power to break tackles and certainly showed flashes as a freshman, but he hasn't demonstrated a willingness to lower his head a plow over defenders on a consistent basis.
Advantage: Ingram
No. 4: Durability
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Ingram took a beating last season but managed to stay healthy and produce. He registered at least 20 touches in nine games last year. Contrastingly, Richardson registered 20 touches in only one game, the National Championship against Texas.
Ingram's track record of staying on the field may have taken a hit Monday, but there is no reason to believe he won't return to form. Richardson hasn't shown the ability to take a pounding quite yet.
For the moment at least, Ingram has the edge.
Advantage: Ingram
No. 3: Receiving
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Richardson has a big edge in speed, and Ingram has an equally large edge in catching the ball out of the backfield.
After catching only seven passes as a freshman in 2008, Ingram tallied 32 receptions for an impressive 332 yards during his Heisman campaign.
Richardson was seldom used as a receiver last season and caught only 16 passes. That number will improve this season, but Ingram's ability to be a reliable threat in the aerial attack give him a big advantage.
Advantage: Ingram
No. 2: Potential
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Potential is a difficult thing to equate, but Richardson's ceiling appears to be a bit higher than Ingram's.
At 220 pounds, Richardson has better size than Ingram and clearly possesses better speed. The advantage in several of the strictly physical categories is the main reason Richardson is already well known on a national level despite being in Ingram's shadow last season.
Advantage: Richardson
No. 1: Production
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In 2009, Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns while amassing 334 yards receiving. It's doubtful Richardson will ever exceed those numbers, either this season or next.
Richardson rushed for 751 yards as a freshman and should challenge the 1,000-yard mark this season, but his opportunities will still be limited if Ingram recovers completely from his knee issues.
It's not easy to argue against the production of a returning Heisman winner.
Advantage: Ingram
The Verdict Is In
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If you've been scoring at home, you have certainly noticed Ingram has clearly distanced himself from Richardson in this particular comparison.
Richardson's speed provides an aspect Ingram will never be able to match, but there is simply no way to argue with the amazing numbers of the Heisman Trophy winner.
The only thing that would allow Richardson to catch Ingram would be an extended stay on the sidelines for No. 22.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
