LSU vs Alabama Rematch: Who Has the Bigger Impact, Richardson or Mathieu?

The BCS National Championship Game is less than a month away. And while many of the fans may not be happy about the matchup of the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU Tigers, it should be a great game.

There are loads of NFL potential on both teams and the outcome should be much better than the game earlier in the year.

While there are tons of difference makers on both teams, none of which are more valuable than Alabama running back Trent Richardson and Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu. Both were Heisman candidates this season and played a huge part in their team's success.

But who is more valuable?

Trent Richardson rushed for 1,583 yards and 20 touchdowns. He averaged six yards a carry and didn't score at least one touchdown only once this season. He rushed for over 100 yards nine times this year, including a 203-yard performance against Auburn.

There is no question he is the most talented back in the country and NFL-ready right now.

Tyrann Mathieu led his team in tackles with 71 and had 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. He returned two fumbles for a touchdown and two punt returns for a touchdown.

Mathieu was the playmaker on this defense and made the necessary big plays on special teams as well.

But that still doesn't answer our question to find out who's more valuable. To find that answer, I think you have to look at the players around them and see what exactly the teams would be without them on the roster.

Trent Richardson is pretty much the entire Crimson Tide offense.

Alabama struggles to throw the ball and relies heavily on him to carry the load. He's the main reason they average 215 yards on the ground and the little success they have passing the ball is also because of him.

The success running the ball forces the defense to cheat on the run and makes it a lot easier for the receivers to get open.

Even in his worst game of the season, against LSU, he still had 169 total yards. He was a huge reason Alabama was able to get the ball into field-goal range for all of those missed kick opportunities.

In overtime he didn't do anything because he was never given the ball, for whatever reason.

Tyrann Mathieu has made the clutch plays whenever the Tigers have needed it most. Those two punt returns for touchdowns came when the Tigers were unmotivated as a team and in serious jeopardy of losing.

But take him off this team and they still have a defensive line that is 11th in the country with 36 sacks. They still have one of the top cornerbacks in the league with Morris Claiborne, who will be playing on Sundays.

Mathieu has been fantastic all year, but the talented players around him allow him to gamble on those big plays. Instead of trying to sack the quarterback, he can go for the strip and try to knock the ball out for a forced fumble.

Richardson has to touch the ball 20-30 times on offense, or the Alabama offense struggles to put points on the board. Alabama wouldn't have an offense that averages 36 points per game without him.

Take Mathieu off LSU and they would likely just replace him with another player that was highly recruited and has NFL talent.

The Tigers defense would still be fantastic and one of the best in the country. The only difference is, they may lack a few big plays that Mathieu is able to provide. Opposing teams would still have a difficult time trying to score on them. 

Both players are the difference-makers for their teams but Richardson is more valuable.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]