Heisman Trophy 2011: Trent Richardson Doesn't Get the Credit He Deserves

Alabama running back Trent Richardson racked up over 1,900 total yards this season and 23 total touchdowns in the most competitive conference in the nation, but when the Heisman results were released on Saturday, he came out a distant third place behind Heisman winner Robert Griffin III and Stanford's Andrew Luck.

It wasn't a great surprise that Griffin won the award. He was, after all, spectacular this season, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards with 36 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He also rushed for 644 yards and nine touchdowns in leading the No. 12 Baylor Bears past all expectations.

What was a surprise, however, was Richardson not only finishing behind Luck, but well behind.

In the Heisman voting, Griffin garnered 405 first-place votes, Luck racked up 247 first-place votes and Richardson, well, received only 138 first-place votes.

I find it remarkable that a player like Richardson, on the No. 2 team in the country, could be so largely ignored. Even against No. 1 LSU this season, a defensive powerhouse, Richardson recorded 169 total yards.

If you have watched Richardson play all season long, you know that he had some truly spectacular performances, and he pulled off some mind-boggling runs when it appeared he had nowhere to run.

Luck, on the other hand, as great as he was, did struggle more than last season, throwing six interceptions in his last five games. Plus, he played against a weaker conference overall than Richardson did.

I find it a shame that Richardson could have such an amazing season and somehow be surpassed by Luck. My only guess is that Luck's hype exceeded Richardson's, and that Luck had beaten Richardson before the season even started.

For once, a player from the SEC is underrated in college football.