LSU vs Alabama: Trent Richardson Will Push Crimson Tide over LSU

No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama are so similar to each other. These coaches very clearly had similar attitudes when recruiting these teams. 

But there is one difference between the two teams, and it's not a small one. 

That difference is Alabama running back Trent Richardson. He's the difference between the two teams, and he'll be the difference in the game. 

LSU has already done quite well against another one of the nation's best backs in Oregon's LaMichael James. James is a fantastic back that the Tigers completely shut down. 

But Richardson brings a different element that LSU's undersized defensive line will have an awfully hard time going up against. He's a pure power back. Richardson also brings a lot of speed to the table, but can run with pure power in between the tackles.

James had a hard time against LSU's defense because it's such a fast unit. James is clearly a speed back. A speed back against a fast defensive unit is not a good matchup. They have an ability to close off holes and corners that backs like James can normally burst right on through.

But they won't have that luxury against Richardson. For one, he's still capable of hitting holes. Two, when the smaller LSU defense clogs a hole, would you really want to bet against Richardson to be stopped?

I sure wouldn't.

This game will be an absolute classic. The only thing that would really stun me would be for either team to come out and get blown out.

But when I look at these two teams, I see two teams that are very similar. When that happens, it makes sense to try to find someone or something that gives one team a big advantage. 

In this case, that's Trent Richardson. That's not to say that LSU doesn't have anything going in their favor, but no advantage matches the one that Richardson gives Alabama. 

Richardson is well on his way to being a Heisman Trophy finalist. That will push his team over the top.