Tag: Trent Richardson (Page 4 of 4)

      After final full week of season, Heisman race still wide open

      November 26, 2011 /
      Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (C) celebrates a touchdown with teammates Stephan Taylor (33) and Ryan Hewitt (R) against Oregon State during the second half of their NCAA football game in Corvallis, Oregon, November 5, 2011. REUTERS/Steve Dipaola (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      By this time in most college football seasons, we know who is winning the Heisman Trophy. Not this year, however, as there are several contenders that are still very much in the race.

      After today’s games, nobody separated themselves from the field, and nobody fell out. It’s been that kind of year.

      Here’s a look at how I would vote if the Heisman Trust ever decided to give a vote to a guy who writes two posts a week on a blog:

      1. Andrew Luck, Stanford: What’s that you say, this is a cop out? I say nonsense. Luck has had a great year statistically leading a Stanford team that doesn’t have a single wide receiver who will play a significant role in the NFL. He’s doing this with tight ends, people, which makes it more impressive. Yes, the offensive line is great, and yes, he had a bad day against Oregon. Although I’d argue his bad day against Oregon had a lot more to do with not having receivers. And it wasn’t really all that bad. He had a big-time performance against Notre Dame today, but it wasn’t enough to really distance himself.

      2. Trent Richardson, Alabama: He’s the best player in college football, but his performance against LSU might hurt him. Nobody does anything against LSU, but for a lot of voters and viewers, that was one of their few times seeing him play. He went off in the Iron Bowl today, but that’s a bad Auburn defense, and there was very little hype around that game, despite the fact Gameday was there.

      3. Matt Barkley, USC: I fear voters will ignore Barkley because of USC’s probation, but he’s been ridiculous this year. As I write this, Barkley is destroying UCLA. Sure, that’s not that awesome, considering it’s UCLA, but he’s done it to most defense. Barkley and the Trojans got off to a slow start, which is probably what’s hurting him more than anything, because anyone that has followed the Heisman knows it’s all about getting your name in early and maintaining.

      4. Robert Griffin III, Baylor: He might have lost his chance at this award tonight. Not because of the injury, because that’s well out of his hands. But his backup, Nick Florence came in and went nuts, and I have a feeling people are looking for any reason to not give this award to a player from Baylor. Don’t get me wrong, without Griffin, Baylor certainly isn’t in the Top 25, but he struggled against a suspect Oklahoma State defense, and that’s the game that will be weighed with his performance against Oklahoma. OK, who am I kidding, the Oklahoma game wins out.

      5. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU: He won’t win it because of the suspension, but if Richardson is the nation’s best player, he’s the second, and it’s pretty close. Mathieu proved again Friday with a punt return touchdown against Arkansas that he impacts the game more than any defensive player in the country. Plus, he has the nation’s best nickname: Honey Badger.

      College Football, External Sports

      Fade Material: College Football Week 10 Predictions

      November 5, 2011 /
      University of Alabama running back Trent Richardson (3) is stripped of the ball by Louisiana State University safeties Brandon Taylor (15) and Karnell Hatcher during the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Baton Rouge, Louisiana November 6, 2010. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      If you can figure out which two of my picks below will win and which two will lose, you’ll be in great shape for Week 10. Because .500 seems to be the number that suits me best these days.

      Oklahoma State and Arizona State covered for me last Saturday, while Kansas State and Clemson did not. Everyone knew Clemson was going to fall at some point and leave it to ride the Tigers when they did. A-holes.

      My 2-2 effort last week puts me at 21-13-2 ATS for the season. Again, chances are two of these four picks will be winners while two will be losers. Soooo, have fun with that.

      Michigan @ Iowa, 12:00PM ET
      I love me some Hawkeyes this week, even though they’re coming off an embarrassing loss to Minnesota last Saturday. Iowa has rarely been good as a heavy favorite under conservative coach Kirk Ferentz but as a home dog? Love ‘em. Michigan has only gone on the road twice this year, producing a 42-24 win over Northwestern and a 28-14 loss to Michigan State. The Wolverines aren’t road tested and the four points seems like a gift.
      THE PICK: IOWA HAWKEYES +4

      Texas A&M @ Oklahoma, 3:30PM ET
      If you rode the Aggies when they blew up against Oklahoma State, Arkansas and Missouri, I feel for you. I haven’t picked for or against them all season, but I feel for you. That said, don’t be shy about taking A&M this Saturday. The Aggies have proven they can score on anyone and while they’re just 2-6 against the spread this season, that’s because they’ve been favored in every single game. I like them as a 14-point underdog, even on the road against an Oklahoma squad that got back on track last Saturday against Kansas State. Without leading rusher Dominique Whaley, I like A&M to keep things close this weekend in Norman. And hey, they’re not favored so you don’t have to worry about them choking away a lead. (As long as they stay within the 14, that is.)
      THE PICK: TEXAS A&M +14

      Arizona State @ UCLA, 7:30PM ET
      At first glance I was all over the Sun Devils but the Bruins’ effort last week in a 31-14 beat down of Cal gave me pause, then inspired me to pick them this Saturday. When you get into November, college football becomes incredibly hard to predict. The lines are tighter, teams are trying to make one last push at a conference title or a bowl game, and it’s the squads that haven’t given up yet that are the most attractive. UCLA hasn’t given up and I think the Bruins will give ASU all it can handle this Saturday on their home turf.
      THE PICK: UCLA BRUINS +8.5

      LSU @ Alabama, 8:00PM ET
      Honestly, I wouldn’t touch this game with your money. It could go either way and I’m not just talking about the side. The total seems ultra-low at 41 and too high at that same number considering both of these teams have excellent defenses. I just don’t know what to make of this battle royale. But this is arguably the biggest regular season game in the past decade so I couldn’t not give a prediction for it. While it’s awfully tempting to take the points with LSU, ‘Bama is on its home turf, has revenge on its mind after the Tigers beat them last season, and will have the best player on the field in Trent Richardson. Therefore, Roll Tide.
      THE PICK: ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE –4.5

      Last Week: 2-2
      Season Record: 21-13-2

      Check out College Football Point Spreads at Bullz-Eye.com.

      College Football, External Sports

      Alabama dominates Arkansas, makes case for No. 1 (Updated with link to video)

      September 24, 2011 /

      Go ahead, tell me a team that wants to play Alabama right now.

      The Crimson Tide destroyed Arkansas 38-14 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, announcing to the nation — if it didn’t know already — that they were once again a serious national title contender.

      But it wasn’t just the score, it was the way the Tide dominated every facet of the game to pick up the blowout victory. Trent Richardson ran wild, accumulating 126 yards on 17 carries, and 85 yards and a touchdown on three receptions. A.J. McCarron was pretty near perfect, going 15-of-20 for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

      And the defense. Oh, the defense.

      Arkansas finished with 226 total yards, almost all of which came through the air. The Razorbacks run game managed just 17 (!) yards on 19 carries. Yes, math majors, that’s less than one yard per carry. The ‘Bama defense/special teams also chipped in offensively with an interception return for a touchdown and a beautiful punt return for a score by Marquis Maze. On the return, Maze cut back across about half of the Arkansas coverage team (that might be a slight exaggeration), and then cut back on the final guy just for the heck of it. It was as if he wanted the Arkansas trainers to have one more set of ankles to tape this week.

      Alabama has another test next week against Florida. The Gators have the type of speed on offense that can score on anyone if given room, but something tells me Nick Saban will outwit Charlie Weis and figure out how to not give those guys room. The big matchup, of course, is Nov. 5 at home against LSU. That will very likely be for the SEC West title, which essentially means a trip to the national title game. Both defenses are outstanding, but at this point you’d have to give a major edge to the Tide offensively.

      Some other thoughts from today’s daytime games:

      – Ohio State has found its quarterback, and I think a lot of people knew it was going to happen. Braxton Miller didn’t have eye-popping passing numbers by any stretch (5-of-13, 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns), but he used his feet to gain 83 more yards. With either quarterback, Ohio State is going to have to go through some growing pains in the passing game, so it makes the most sense to stick with the youngster who adds an extra dimension to the game.

      – Oklahoma State did its part to make sure Texas A&M doesn’t leave the Big 12 with a conference title. The Cowboys rallied to beat A&M 30-29 at Kyle Field, in what is likely the last conference meeting between the two schools. The Aggies, who look to be headed to the SEC next season, jumped out to a 20-3 lead before surrendering 27 straight points to the Cowboys. A&M can still win the Big 12, but it will need some help, and a win against No. 1 Oklahoma. Good luck with that.

      – Tommy Rees was horrible for most of Notre Dame’s game against Pitt, but the sophomore found a way to come up bit when it mattered, going 8-of-8 on the Irish’s final touchdown drive to give his team a 15-12 win. On the touchdown, Rees fit a pass through a tiny hole to tight end Tyler Eifert. It was the kind of crisp, decisive pass he hadn’t made all game. His ability to bounce back must be what keeps him in games, because Brian Kelly has certainly had a lot longer leash with Rees than he did with Dayne Crist.

      College Football, External Sports, News

      Alabama gets back to its roots in comeback victory

      September 25, 2010 /
      Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram smiles on the sideline during the second half of their NCAA football game with the Duke Blue Devils in Durham, North Carolina September 18, 2010. REUTERS/Jim R. Bounds (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      While the face of college football is constantly changing, one thing seems to remain a constant: If you can play good defense and run the ball, you’re going to win a lot of football games.

      Alabama has those qualities, which is why its the reigning national champion, and the current No. 1 team in the country.

      The Tide fell behind today, but on the back of its defense and run game clawed back into its game with Arkansas and eventually picked up a 24-20 win in front of a raucous crowd in Fayetteville.

      Mark Ingram ran for 157 yards, many of which came with one or more Razorback on his back. His counterpart Trent Richardson added 85 more yards, and the team finished with 228 on the ground. It was punctuated with a 2-yard run by Greg McElroy on fourth-and-inches from midfield with under a minute to play. I’d say Nick Saban made a gutty call going for it in that situation, but I don’t know if anyone had any doubt the Tide was going to convert at that point.

      The defense gave up some yards to Ryan Mallett, who threw for 357, but they also forced a career-high three interceptions from the highly-touted quarterback. Two of those came in the final 5 minutes, one setting up the go-ahead score. Arkansas isn’t much of a running team, but it was held to 64 yards on 20 carries.

      This was just the first game in a really tough three-game stretch for Alabama, but it’s arguably the toughest of the three. Florida is next, but that’s at home, and the Gators’ offense doesn’t seem like it will pose much of a threat. That’s followed by a trip to South Carolina, and while the Gamecocks look much improved this year, I don’t think they’re ready for the Crimson Tide.

      I had my doubts early in the year about Alabama’s chances to repeat, but Ingram and Richardson can run on anyone, and that defense — which just passed what will be its toughest test of the season — is only going to continue to get better. At this point, I don’t know who can beat the Tide.

      College Football, External Sports

      Mark Ingram who? Trent Richardson rolls over inexperienced Penn State.

      September 12, 2010 /
      TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Trent Richardson of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes against Drew Astorino and Stephon Morris of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

      Those who follow the Alabama Crimson Tide knew that Mark Ingram could sit out another week and the team would be just fine with Trent Richardson taking the bulk of the carries – even with No. 18 Penn State coming to town.

      And they were fine – more than fine.

      The nation’s best backup compiled 190 yards of total offense and one touchdown as the Crimson Tide dominated the Nittany Lions 24-3 in Tuscaloosa on Saturday evening. Richardson rushed 22 times for 144 yards (6.5 YPC) and one touchdown, while also catching four passes for 46 yards.

      Just as impressive as Richardson’s performance was the effort by the Tide’s defense. Nick Saban’s D held PSU to only 283 total yards, including 156 through the air. They also forced four turnovers and if it weren’t for a garbage field goal in the fourth quarter, the Tide would have produced their first shutout of 2010.

      Of course, the final result tonight was hardly shocking. The Nittany Lions are an extremely young team and while quarterback Robert Bolden is going to be good someday, he’s only a freshman. He looked poised last week, but obviously there’s a difference between playing Youngstown State at home and Alabama in one of the toughest environments in college football. He was bound to show his inexperience, which he did.

      Getting back to Ingram, he had knee surgery less than two weeks ago and it’s still uncertain whether or not he’ll return next week against Duke. With Richardson lining up in the backfield, it looks like the defending Hesiman winner can take as long as he needs to return to the field of action.

      College Football, External Sports

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