This week, I will be conducting some solo and group interviews this week in New Orleans as part of Rant Sports’ coverage of the Harbowl. Huuuuge shout-out to Gatorade for making this happen. Have a question for @jones_drew32? We’ll be chatting with him tomorrow about all things #SB47! Just submit your question using #AskMaurice! — [...]
The Ottawa Senators are giving young Swedish prospect Mika Zibanejad his first taste of NHL action for the season, as an injury to Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson suffering from the flu has created room for him on the roster. In his first game of the season Tuesday night, Zibanejad assisted on Jim O’Brien’s second period [...]
With the team’s payroll apparently spent with the myriad of acquisitions made by team GM Alex Anthopoulos this winter, the Toronto Blue Jays are back to diamond-digging mode in hopes of finding some depth pieces that could eventually turn out to be more. The latest of these is 29-year old Andy LaRoche, who was signed by the [...]
When the Memphis Grizzlies hired renowned statistics guru John Hollinger to join their front office, many questioned the move. While at ESPN Hollinger was the mastermind behind the now-popular “player efficiency rating” category (or PER) that uses a formula that uses a number of factors to rate a player’s value to their team. With the [...]
The chase for five-star defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Ca., Placer) and former USC commit is shaping up to be a four-team race between UCLA, Notre Dame and an outside shot given to Alabama, because he has not cancelled his visit to the Tide. USC is still in the mix for the 6-3 310-pound lineman [...]
Marshall Henderson has emerged on to the college basketball scene by making big shots and not being afraid of showing his emotions on the court. But it has been the Ole Miss guard’s emotional outburst that has gotten him the most attention. Henderson’s taunting of the Auburn student section after hitting the game winning free [...]
A lot of basketball fans want to see LeBron James in the dunk contest. However, LeBron has always turned down pressure to join the contest. To me, this makes no sense because All-Star weekend should be about entertaining the fans. Luckily for us, a fan by the name of Chris Thomas has a brilliant idea. [...]
The week leading up to Super Bowl XLVII has been quite exciting for members of the Baltimore Ravens considering all of the questions surrounding Ray Lewis being linked to PED. However, the argument can be made that Joe Flacco has found himself in a more difficult situation after making inappropriate comments about his feelings towards [...]
While Andy Dirks may not be the sexiest name in MLB, he certainly has gotten a lot of attention among baseball purists. The Detroit Tigers outfielder is a flat-out ball player. He never turns in a clean jersey and has tremendous feel for the game. All of this cannot be denied, but it takes more [...]
Raphael Varane scored a late equaliser on his ‘El Classico’ debut to save Real Madrid from a 1-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Ray. Barcelona took the lead after 50 minutes thanks to Cesc Fabregas, following a woeful clearance from Jose Callejon. The first half saw both sides come close to taking the [...]
Luke Del Rio held scholarship offers from Oklahoma State, Oregon State and UCLA just to name a few. However the prep quarterback from Denver, Colorado will not head to the Big 12 or Pac 12 to accept an offer from one of its institutions-he will take his talents to Tuscaloosa,Alabama to accept a spot as a [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
If you have been looking for the national championship trophy in the past six seasons, it has been hiding out in the Southeastern Conference. January 7th 2012, we’ll find out if it will stay there for a seventh consecutive season.
The 2012 college football season was the dawn of a new era for the conference with the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M. While the Tigers struggled to turn their swagger into results on the football field, the Aggies had no trouble turning heads in their inaugural season-in large part to freshman phenom Johnny Manziel
While Manziel stole the show through the course of the season, plenty other young guns stood out. Georgia's dynamic backfield duo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall turned plenty of heads while Alabama boasted TJ Yeldon in the backfield and Amari Cooper on the parameter. But just when it seemed like the conference’s elite underclassman would secure the spotlight it wasn’t long before the league’s veterans cranked their performance up to 11.
While the offensive performances were elevated in 2012, the SEC never strayed too far from its roots as home of the country’s top defenses, placing three in the top 10. Jadeveon Clowney and Jarvis Jones spent their time sending quarterbacks running, while Jonathan Banks and Dee Milliner stole their passes.
The following is a list of the top 10 plays in the Southeastern Conference this season. While some of the plays on this list may not come as a surprise, there is a good chance the top spot on this list may come as one. Without further ado, here are the top plays with the videos to help relive the memories.
10. Todd Gurley Kickoff Return
In his very first game at Georgia, Gurley wasted no time bursting on the scene. Yes, the game was against Buffalo, but late in the first quarter as he lined up to return the kickoff, he showed everything you would hope to see in a running back-speed, strength, patience, and then ability to tight rope the sideline. In addition to this 100 yard kickoff return, the true freshman collected 8 carries for 100 yards and two more touchdowns.
9. Florida Gators Punt Block v. ULL
If this play was against the likes of Florida State or Georgia, there is no question it would probably be posted near the top of this list. However, this play was against UL-Lafayette which brings it down a little bit because the Florida Gators should have never been in the position to begin with. Nevertheless, it was a great play and the Gators would not be playing in the Sugar Bowl this January without it.
8. Arkansas Double Reverse
The trickeration was believed to have walked out the door with former Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bobby Petrino, but oh how wrong we were. Tyler Wilson takes the snap, then hands it off to his running back on the sweep, but instead of taking it around the corner he flips it back to wide receiver Brandon Mitchell, the former quarterback, who slings a pass to Javontee Henderson in the corner of the endzone. Without question, it was a great play, but it was against Auburn-the Tigers made a lot of people look good this year. Therein lies the reason this play is at number 8.
7. Kadron Boone catch v Texas A&M
I am not sure anyone realizes how close Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies were to playing in the national championship game. In a game where every point mattered, if Kadron Boone does not pull in this pass from Zach Mettenberger in front of the 12th man, you have to wonder how the game may have played out; after all it was decided by just 5 points. If A&M beats LSU, then Alabama two weeks later, you have to wonder if we would be looking at a Notre Dame-Texas A&M title game.
6. Jarvis Landry’s One Handed Grab
Watch this video. On first review it is easy to notice the one handed catch which was spectacular in itself. However, in looking at this film multiple times, you begin to notice the way that LSU’s Jarvis Landry not only makes the catch, but has enough body control to turn 180 degrees to make the grab. All of this while making sure to secure possession in bounds as his momentum was pulling him out. Phenomenal
5. AJ McCarron to Amari Cooper in the SEC Championship Game
Alabama has traditionally been known for possessing one of the most crushing running games in the country so naturally the 5th play on this list is a passing play. Down by just three with just a few minutes it would have been easy for Alabama to run the clock, set up for a field goal and play for overtime-or the way Alabama was running the ball, work the clock, get the touchdown and leave no time (as I thought they would). However, as Georgia crept up to the line of scrimmage, 19 year old wide receiver Amari Cooper sped past his man, slowed down, and then accelerated the defensive back again to haul in the game winner from AJ McCarron.
4. Ace Sanders Punt Return Georgia
While not quite on the same level of former Arkansas Razorback Joe Adams punt return last season, you can not help but be impressed with this Ace Sanders return for South Carolina. First he muffs the punt, maintains his composure enough to regain possession, then accelerates-in a hurry. What is impressive to me is his ability to maintain his speed while weaving in and out of defenders before eventually taking it to the house
3. Escape in Death Valley
With just under 90 seconds on the clock in the middle of Death Valley, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron did the impossible-he sputtered all game and just when the LSU Tiger crowd couldn't roar any louder he patiently worked Alabama down the field, eventually setting up the screen pass to TJ Yeldon for 28 yards. While the play was big at the time, it proved to be even bigger as the regular season ended. If Alabama loses this game there is no SEC Championship, nor any chance to repeat.
2. Johnny Manziel, fumble, TD Pass v. Alabama
Johnny Manziel had a great season, but he does not win the Heisman trophy, nor does he win this game without this particular play. At this stage in the game, the score is just 7-0 and Texas A&M has all of the momentum-a turnover here would have easily put it back on the Alabama sidelines and perhaps the Aggies don’t jump out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. This play was huge not only for what it helped bring Manziel, but its impact on potentially keeping the SEC out of the national championship.
1. Baylor and Stanford Upset Wins on November 17th
The top spot on this list comes from two different games. While these plays didn’t take part in the Southeastern Conference per say, the impact they had on the SEC was unparalleled. The conference has built itself on being the best conference in the country in large part because of their success in the national championship game. With Johnny Manziel’s heroics a week earlier, knocking Alabama off the top spot, it looked as if the SEC would be shut out of the national title game for the first time in 6 years. But because of Stanford kicker Jordan Williamson's clutch field goal and the combined efforts of the Baylor Bears' defensive back Joe Williams' interception and Lache Seastrunk's 80 yard run late in the 3rd quarter against Kansas State, that will not be the case.
Baylor vs. Kansas State Highlights
Stanford vs. Oregon Highlights
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
Ah, the rumors continue. First there was a report in the Boston Globe that was later picked up by the Cleveland Plain Dealer in a blog post that linked University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban to the Cleveland Browns head coaching job. It is not the first time this rumor has circulated, as a [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
Looking for a premier job? Perhaps you should make a stop in the great city of Cincinnati – and no, it is not because they are putting something magical in their Chili. The Cincinnati Bearcats are college football’s stepping stone. In 2004, Mike Dantonio took control, putting the wheels in motion for football success and [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
Millions of dollars, a storied program, and placement in the Southeastern Conference-Louisville head coach Charlie Strong said no to it all. Surprisingly. Strong had been an assistant coach in the SEC east, leading defensive units at South Carolina and Florida before taking a job in the Big East at Louisville. The job was considered to [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
Swing and miss. In simple terms, that is probably the best way to describe the Tennessee Volunteers coaching search at the moment. But just like the home run hitter who strikes out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 5th, now is not the time to panic-just time to regroup. The Volunteers hold [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
“Your 2012 Heisman Trophy winner is..” Those words will be exclaimed from the presenter in New York on Saturday, but the anticipation will be gone-the Heisman discussion was long before any of the finalists hopped on a plane to the big ole’ city. When those words are spoken, the only name that should be heard [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
We did this to ourselves. That is the only thing I can think about as I saw the release of BCS matchups: Florida State-Northern Illinois (Orange), Stanford-Wisconsin (Rose) Florida-Louisville (Sugar) and Kansas State-Oregon (Fiesta). With the exception of the Fiesta Bowl and the National Championship game, I am hardly intrigued in any of these games [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
Living in Tuscaloosa, the excitement for Saturday’s Southeastern Conference championship game undoubtedly took hold of the headlines, much as it did across the college football world. However, an interesting angle was presented this week: with college football’s looming playoff, what are the chances these conferences will continue to play in these knockout games? In college [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
The Georgia Bulldogs come into Saturday’s game with the Alabama Crimson Tide holding on to the 22nd ranked defense in the country; however their top tier defense has one glaring weakness. Georgia has struggled against the run. Not just struggled, no, the Bulldogs rank in the bottom half in NCAA rushing defense with the 69th [...]
Who are the top 60 NFL Draft prospects in 2013? Find out here
Check out the Top 30 College Football power rankings of the upcoming 2013 season
Find out who the Top 25 starting quarterbacks are for the 2013 College Football season
About | Contact | Write for Us | Staff | Advertise | Login
© 2013 Rant Media Network, LLC & www.RantSports.com
