Heisman Trophy: Trent Richardson Deserved More Respect for Playing in SEC

Alabama running back Trent Richardson finished a distant third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind winner Robert Griffin III from Baylor and Andrew Luck from Stanford. While both quarterbacks had terrific seasons, the Crimson Tide's main offensive weapon didn't get the respect he deserved for playing against SEC defenses.

The SEC has solidified itself as the nation's premier college football conference and any Heisman candidate who survives that grind while continuing to dominate deserves major kudos. That includes fifth-place finisher Tyrann Mathieu, but defensive players always face an uphill battle for the award.

Richardson finished with nearly 2,000 total yards and 23 touchdowns.

While his TD total doesn't match that of Montee Ball, when you consider the level of competition both men faced throughout the season, it more than offsets the difference. That's why Ball, who crossed the goal line at least twice in every game, never gained enough momentum with voters.

There were two things working against Richardson which shouldn't come into play when the final ballots are cast. Griffin had the late charge on his side while Luck had the preseason hype on his. Richardson was a tweener the entire way.

Voters should focus on a player's entire résumé. It shouldn't matter who started the season in the forefront of most people's minds or who had a hot streak to finish the season.

Those beliefs penalize consistency, which was Richardson's trademark in 2011. He went over 100 offensive yards in all but one game and that was the opener against Kent State when Alabama played it safe with a huge lead.

The only game he didn't score a touchdown was against LSU. The Tigers rank second in points allowed behind only Alabama, so it's hard to fault him for that game. Especially when you consider no player found paydirt in that clash.

Just like teams in the BCS are rewarded for playing tougher schedules, Heisman contenders should be given the same treatment. It might not have been enough to push Richardson over the top, but it would have put him much closer to lifting that trophy above his head.

While he still hasn't made an NFL decision, wherever he lands next season he'll be successful. Not winning the Heisman doesn't change that.