It took 79 years for an Alabama player to win the Heisman Trophy.

How long will Crimson Tide fans have to wait for a second?

Less than a year, according to Las Vegas oddsmakers.

When the early odds were released for the upcoming college football season this month, Alabama running back Mark Ingram was atop the list of Heisman favorites.

But that shouldn’t surprise anyone. Ingram did win last season’s Heisman as a sophomore, after all.

Since Ingram will be back this season, he could give Alabama its second Heisman this December.

Or then again, maybe not.

See, the Vegas odds may be in Ingram’s favor, but reality isn’t.

And here’s why:

Trent Richardson.

Ingram may not even be the best running back on his own team this fall, much less a legitimate Heisman candidate.

Most Stanford fans will wrongfully disagree, but Ingram was the nation’s best running back a year ago. With his powerful downhill running style, the 5-foot-10, 212-pound Flint, Mich., native carried the Tide’s offense all the way to a BCS national title by amassing 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground.

But don’t expect an encore. Not with Richardson getting more carries this fall.

And Richardson is going to get his fair share of touches, despite playing behind the reigning Heisman winner.

He’s too good not to.

As a true freshman last season, Richardson burst onto the scene by rushing for 751 yards and eight touchdowns on 145 carries.

Richardson gave the world a glimpse of just how much promise his career holds in the BCS National Championship when he shredded Texas’ defense for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

And more of the same can be expected from his sophomore campaign.

This kid is the real deal. He could quite possibly be the best running back to ever play at the Capstone.

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Richardson is a big, physical running back like Ingram, only more explosive.

And if this former five-star prospect who Nick Saban stole away from practically every big-boy program in the country — including his home-state Florida Gators — starts to live up to his full potential, then it could be Ingram who is playing behind Richardson.

So what does that mean for these early Heisman odds?

Well, if you insist on picking an early favorite, go with one of the stud quarterbacks, like Washington’s Jake Locker or Boise State’s Kellen Moore. They have a better chance at winning the award than Ingram this season.

And then go ahead and pencil Richardson in as the early favorite for the 2011 Heisman, because this Tide running back is going to have a shot at college football’s top individual award before he leaves Tuscaloosa.

That’s a fact.

Justin Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 257 or by e-mail at jgraves@cullmantimes.com.