College Football Nation: David Greene
What makes a great game? What makes a memorable game?
Most of the time, that depends on where you sit.
Again, though, picking just 10 games that stick out in the SEC over the last decade is a thankless task.
My question: Can I pick 10 over the last two seasons?
While realizing some memorable contests are going to be left out, here’s our stab at the 10 best games the decade had to offer in the SEC:
1. Florida 31, Alabama 20, 2008 SEC championship game: The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country went toe-to-toe for three classic quarters in a game that lived up to every bit of its hype. But in those final 15 minutes, Tim Tebow took over with one clutch play after another, and the Gators -- playing without injured star Percy Harvin -- turned in a flawless quarter to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
2. Arkansas 50, LSU 48 (3 OT), 2007: Easily one of the more shocking games of the decade. Darren McFadden rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns and threw for another score, as unranked Arkansas knocked off No. 1 LSU at home on the final weekend of the regular season. Arkansas’ Matterral Richardson intercepted Matt Flynn’s two-point conversion pass in the end zone to clinch the win for the Hogs. It was Houston Nutt’s final game at Arkansas, and LSU limped away thinking it had blown its chance to play for a national title. But the right teams lost, and the Tigers climbed back into position in the final BCS standings and whipped Ohio State for their second national title of the decade.
3. Florida 17, South Carolina 16, 2006: Talk about a surreal setting. Steve Spurrier was back at the Swamp ... but wearing different colors and standing on the opposing sideline. His Gamecocks outplayed the No. 6 Gators most of the day. South Carolina had a chance to win it at the end, but Jarvis Moss blocked Ryan Succop’s 48-yard field goal attempt as time expired to save the Gators. It was his second blocked kick of the game and the third by Florida. The Gators would go on to win their first of two national titles under Urban Meyer.
4. Tennessee 34, Florida 32, 2001: The game was pushed back to the end of the season because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Florida was No. 2 and Tennessee No. 5. The Vols, who hadn’t won in the Swamp since the 1970s, got a career-high 226 yards rushing from Travis Stephens and survived a two-point conversion pass attempt in the end zone at the end of the game to put themselves in prime position to play for the national championship. They couldn’t make it stand up, though, and were upset the next week by LSU in the SEC championship game.
5. LSU 28, Florida 24, 2007: The black-and-blue game of the decade, for sure. The Tigers and Gators went at it in one of the hardest-hitting, most physical games you’ll ever see. Three different times, Tim Tebow led the Gators to 10-point leads over the No. 1-ranked Tigers. But LSU coach Les Miles kept gambling on fourth down, and the Tigers -- namely Jacob Hester -- kept converting. Hester had two fourth-down conversions on the game-winning drive and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a third-and-goal play.
6. Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63 (7 OT), 2003: It was the longest game in NCAA history, taking nearly five hours to play. The Hogs prevailed in the seventh overtime when DeCori Birmingham scored on a 25-yard touchdown run. They then stopped the Wildcats on fourth down.
7. Ole Miss 31, Florida 30, 2008: It’s the game that led to “The Promise” from Tim Tebow, and it’s also the last game the Gators lost before reeling off 22 straight victories. The Rebels shocked the No. 4 Gators in the Swamp. Jevan Snead passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, and Kentrell Lockett blocked an extra point attempt late in the fourth quarter. But the clincher came with 40 seconds to play when the Rebels stopped Tebow on fourth down and less than a yard from the Ole Miss 32. Tebow was hit in the backfield and never made it back to the line of scrimmage.
8. Georgia 24, Auburn 21, 2002: Auburn and Georgia have specialized in playing thrilling games over the years, but the 2002 contest was one of the best. The Bulldogs won it with 1:25 left to play when David Greene hit a leaping Michael Johnson with a 19-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-15 play to clinch the Eastern Division title. The Bulldogs went on to win their first SEC title in 20 years.
9. Kentucky 43, LSU 37 (3 OT), 2007: In one of the biggest wins in Kentucky history, the Wildcats took down the No. 1 Tigers in Lexington, settling off a wild celebration in the Bluegrass. Quarterback Andre Woodson threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson in the third overtime, and LSU couldn’t answer on its possession. Charles Scott was stopped on fourth-and-2 by Kentucky’s Braxton Kelley, sealing the Wildcats’ first victory over a No. 1 team since 1964.
10. Alabama 12, Tennessee 10, 2009: Terrence Cody made more than a few big plays during his two seasons at Alabama, but nothing compares to his blocked field goal as time expired to save the Crimson Tide against the Vols. It was Cody’s second blocked field goal of the day, and he ripped off his helmet and went racing across the field in celebration afterward. Alabama seemingly had the game under control, but Tennessee drove for a late touchdown and then recovered an onsides kick to move into position. The Crimson Tide prevailed without scoring a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin kicked four field goals, including a 50-yarder and 49-yarder.
Most of the time, that depends on where you sit.
Again, though, picking just 10 games that stick out in the SEC over the last decade is a thankless task.
My question: Can I pick 10 over the last two seasons?
While realizing some memorable contests are going to be left out, here’s our stab at the 10 best games the decade had to offer in the SEC:
1. Florida 31, Alabama 20, 2008 SEC championship game: The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country went toe-to-toe for three classic quarters in a game that lived up to every bit of its hype. But in those final 15 minutes, Tim Tebow took over with one clutch play after another, and the Gators -- playing without injured star Percy Harvin -- turned in a flawless quarter to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
2. Arkansas 50, LSU 48 (3 OT), 2007: Easily one of the more shocking games of the decade. Darren McFadden rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns and threw for another score, as unranked Arkansas knocked off No. 1 LSU at home on the final weekend of the regular season. Arkansas’ Matterral Richardson intercepted Matt Flynn’s two-point conversion pass in the end zone to clinch the win for the Hogs. It was Houston Nutt’s final game at Arkansas, and LSU limped away thinking it had blown its chance to play for a national title. But the right teams lost, and the Tigers climbed back into position in the final BCS standings and whipped Ohio State for their second national title of the decade.
3. Florida 17, South Carolina 16, 2006: Talk about a surreal setting. Steve Spurrier was back at the Swamp ... but wearing different colors and standing on the opposing sideline. His Gamecocks outplayed the No. 6 Gators most of the day. South Carolina had a chance to win it at the end, but Jarvis Moss blocked Ryan Succop’s 48-yard field goal attempt as time expired to save the Gators. It was his second blocked kick of the game and the third by Florida. The Gators would go on to win their first of two national titles under Urban Meyer.
4. Tennessee 34, Florida 32, 2001: The game was pushed back to the end of the season because of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Florida was No. 2 and Tennessee No. 5. The Vols, who hadn’t won in the Swamp since the 1970s, got a career-high 226 yards rushing from Travis Stephens and survived a two-point conversion pass attempt in the end zone at the end of the game to put themselves in prime position to play for the national championship. They couldn’t make it stand up, though, and were upset the next week by LSU in the SEC championship game.
5. LSU 28, Florida 24, 2007: The black-and-blue game of the decade, for sure. The Tigers and Gators went at it in one of the hardest-hitting, most physical games you’ll ever see. Three different times, Tim Tebow led the Gators to 10-point leads over the No. 1-ranked Tigers. But LSU coach Les Miles kept gambling on fourth down, and the Tigers -- namely Jacob Hester -- kept converting. Hester had two fourth-down conversions on the game-winning drive and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a third-and-goal play.
6. Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63 (7 OT), 2003: It was the longest game in NCAA history, taking nearly five hours to play. The Hogs prevailed in the seventh overtime when DeCori Birmingham scored on a 25-yard touchdown run. They then stopped the Wildcats on fourth down.
7. Ole Miss 31, Florida 30, 2008: It’s the game that led to “The Promise” from Tim Tebow, and it’s also the last game the Gators lost before reeling off 22 straight victories. The Rebels shocked the No. 4 Gators in the Swamp. Jevan Snead passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, and Kentrell Lockett blocked an extra point attempt late in the fourth quarter. But the clincher came with 40 seconds to play when the Rebels stopped Tebow on fourth down and less than a yard from the Ole Miss 32. Tebow was hit in the backfield and never made it back to the line of scrimmage.
8. Georgia 24, Auburn 21, 2002: Auburn and Georgia have specialized in playing thrilling games over the years, but the 2002 contest was one of the best. The Bulldogs won it with 1:25 left to play when David Greene hit a leaping Michael Johnson with a 19-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-15 play to clinch the Eastern Division title. The Bulldogs went on to win their first SEC title in 20 years.
9. Kentucky 43, LSU 37 (3 OT), 2007: In one of the biggest wins in Kentucky history, the Wildcats took down the No. 1 Tigers in Lexington, settling off a wild celebration in the Bluegrass. Quarterback Andre Woodson threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Steve Johnson in the third overtime, and LSU couldn’t answer on its possession. Charles Scott was stopped on fourth-and-2 by Kentucky’s Braxton Kelley, sealing the Wildcats’ first victory over a No. 1 team since 1964.
10. Alabama 12, Tennessee 10, 2009: Terrence Cody made more than a few big plays during his two seasons at Alabama, but nothing compares to his blocked field goal as time expired to save the Crimson Tide against the Vols. It was Cody’s second blocked field goal of the day, and he ripped off his helmet and went racing across the field in celebration afterward. Alabama seemingly had the game under control, but Tennessee drove for a late touchdown and then recovered an onsides kick to move into position. The Crimson Tide prevailed without scoring a touchdown. Leigh Tiffin kicked four field goals, including a 50-yarder and 49-yarder.
We next turn our attention to the most memorable moments of the last decade in the SEC.
Granted, what’s memorable for Florida fans isn’t necessarily memorable for Georgia fans. And something tells me Auburn fans weren’t basking in Alabama’s national championship this season.
But we’ve done our best to capture the 10 moments that defined SEC football over the last decade.
Here they are:
1. Alabama’s 2009 national championship: The Crimson Tide became the first 14-0 national champion in league history with a 37-21 victory over Texas in Pasadena, signifying once and for all that the league’s biggest name and most storied program was indeed back. It also punctuated the league’s dominance over the last decade. Five of the 10 BCS national titles were won by SEC teams.
2. Alabama vs. Florida I: It was the most anticipated SEC game since expansion when Alabama and Florida collided for the SEC championship in 2008. The Crimson Tide were No. 1 in the polls and the Gators No. 2. The game was essentially a play-in for the right to play for a national title. The Gators dominated the fourth quarter to win 31-20 and went on to win their second national title in the last three years with a victory over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game. The two teams did it all over again in 2009.
3. Saban’s return: In a move that sent shockwaves throughout the league, particularly Louisiana, Nick Saban returned to the SEC in 2007 -- but not to LSU. After initially saying he wasn’t going to be the Alabama coach, Saban reconsidered and left the Miami Dolphins for an eight-year, $32 million deal. His challenge was to restore the Crimson Tide to national prominence. It’s taken him all of three years to do that.
4. Dawning of the spread: Urban Meyer arrived in 2005 at Florida with his spread option offense. Initially, there were rumblings that it wouldn't work in the SEC given the caliber of defenses in this league. The truth is that Meyer's spread has changed the way defenses play in this league, and it's an offense that's being run in some form all over college football now. It's also an offense that's been pretty good to the Gators. They've won two national titles on Meyer's watch.
5. Tebow’s speech: It’s already been immortalized on a plaque that sits just outside the front entrance to Florida’s football facility. Tim Tebow made an emotional promise to fans following the 31-30 home loss to Ole Miss in 2008 that nobody would outwork him or his teammates the rest of the way. The Gators responded by winning their next 22 games, including the 2008 national championship.
6. LSU’s Bluegrass Miracle: It was easily the wildest ending of the decade. Kentucky had just kicked a field goal to take a 30-27 lead (and seemingly) the win over LSU with 11 seconds left. Kentucky coach Guy Morriss had already been doused with Gatorade. But on the game’s last play, LSU’s Marcus Randall uncorked a ball down the field that Michael Clayton tipped and somehow hit teammate Devery Henderson in stride. As Henderson crossed the goal line with his improbable 75-yard touchdown catch, Kentucky fans on the other end of the field were already tearing down the goal post in celebration.
7. Croom’s hiring: Sylvester Croom became the first black head football coach in SEC history in 2004 when Mississippi State hired him to replace Jackie Sherrill. Croom played in the SEC at Alabama under Bear Bryant and had been interviewed for the Alabama head job the year before, although he didn’t get it. Croom’s Bulldogs won the Liberty Bowl in 2007, but he was ousted following the next season when Mississippi State dipped to 4-8.
8. Prothro’s catch: If you’re looking for the catch of the decade, look no further than Tyrone Prothro’s acrobatic catch in Alabama’s 30-21 win over Southern Miss in 2005. On the dead run, Prothro reached around the defender’s neck to pull in the ball and held on despite everyone crashing to the turf. Tragically, three games later, Prothro’s football career came to an end when he snapped his lower leg against Florida.
9. Johnson’s catch: Michael Johnson’s leaping 19-yard touchdown catch from David Greene on a fourth-and-15 play with 1:25 to play sent Georgia to a thrilling 24-21 win over Auburn, clinching the first Eastern Division title for the Bulldogs. They went on to win the SEC championship in 2002, their first in two decades.
10. Spurrier's return: Steve Spurrier won six SEC championships at Florida, but left to take his shot at the NFL following the 2001 season. The Head Ball Coach lasted just two seasons with the Washington Redskins. Itching to get back into college football, he shocked everybody when he agreed to take over at South Carolina in 2005. It’s been an uphill battle for him ever since, as the Gamecocks have lost at least five games every season he’s been there.
Granted, what’s memorable for Florida fans isn’t necessarily memorable for Georgia fans. And something tells me Auburn fans weren’t basking in Alabama’s national championship this season.
But we’ve done our best to capture the 10 moments that defined SEC football over the last decade.
Here they are:
1. Alabama’s 2009 national championship: The Crimson Tide became the first 14-0 national champion in league history with a 37-21 victory over Texas in Pasadena, signifying once and for all that the league’s biggest name and most storied program was indeed back. It also punctuated the league’s dominance over the last decade. Five of the 10 BCS national titles were won by SEC teams.
2. Alabama vs. Florida I: It was the most anticipated SEC game since expansion when Alabama and Florida collided for the SEC championship in 2008. The Crimson Tide were No. 1 in the polls and the Gators No. 2. The game was essentially a play-in for the right to play for a national title. The Gators dominated the fourth quarter to win 31-20 and went on to win their second national title in the last three years with a victory over Oklahoma in the BCS National Championship Game. The two teams did it all over again in 2009.
3. Saban’s return: In a move that sent shockwaves throughout the league, particularly Louisiana, Nick Saban returned to the SEC in 2007 -- but not to LSU. After initially saying he wasn’t going to be the Alabama coach, Saban reconsidered and left the Miami Dolphins for an eight-year, $32 million deal. His challenge was to restore the Crimson Tide to national prominence. It’s taken him all of three years to do that.
4. Dawning of the spread: Urban Meyer arrived in 2005 at Florida with his spread option offense. Initially, there were rumblings that it wouldn't work in the SEC given the caliber of defenses in this league. The truth is that Meyer's spread has changed the way defenses play in this league, and it's an offense that's being run in some form all over college football now. It's also an offense that's been pretty good to the Gators. They've won two national titles on Meyer's watch.
5. Tebow’s speech: It’s already been immortalized on a plaque that sits just outside the front entrance to Florida’s football facility. Tim Tebow made an emotional promise to fans following the 31-30 home loss to Ole Miss in 2008 that nobody would outwork him or his teammates the rest of the way. The Gators responded by winning their next 22 games, including the 2008 national championship.
6. LSU’s Bluegrass Miracle: It was easily the wildest ending of the decade. Kentucky had just kicked a field goal to take a 30-27 lead (and seemingly) the win over LSU with 11 seconds left. Kentucky coach Guy Morriss had already been doused with Gatorade. But on the game’s last play, LSU’s Marcus Randall uncorked a ball down the field that Michael Clayton tipped and somehow hit teammate Devery Henderson in stride. As Henderson crossed the goal line with his improbable 75-yard touchdown catch, Kentucky fans on the other end of the field were already tearing down the goal post in celebration.
7. Croom’s hiring: Sylvester Croom became the first black head football coach in SEC history in 2004 when Mississippi State hired him to replace Jackie Sherrill. Croom played in the SEC at Alabama under Bear Bryant and had been interviewed for the Alabama head job the year before, although he didn’t get it. Croom’s Bulldogs won the Liberty Bowl in 2007, but he was ousted following the next season when Mississippi State dipped to 4-8.
8. Prothro’s catch: If you’re looking for the catch of the decade, look no further than Tyrone Prothro’s acrobatic catch in Alabama’s 30-21 win over Southern Miss in 2005. On the dead run, Prothro reached around the defender’s neck to pull in the ball and held on despite everyone crashing to the turf. Tragically, three games later, Prothro’s football career came to an end when he snapped his lower leg against Florida.
9. Johnson’s catch: Michael Johnson’s leaping 19-yard touchdown catch from David Greene on a fourth-and-15 play with 1:25 to play sent Georgia to a thrilling 24-21 win over Auburn, clinching the first Eastern Division title for the Bulldogs. They went on to win the SEC championship in 2002, their first in two decades.
10. Spurrier's return: Steve Spurrier won six SEC championships at Florida, but left to take his shot at the NFL following the 2001 season. The Head Ball Coach lasted just two seasons with the Washington Redskins. Itching to get back into college football, he shocked everybody when he agreed to take over at South Carolina in 2005. It’s been an uphill battle for him ever since, as the Gamecocks have lost at least five games every season he’s been there.
Wrapping up the Big 12 regular season
December, 8, 2009
12/08/09
2:52
PM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Whatever happened to the Big 12 and all of those wild offensive numbers and great teams from last season?
With all of the promise from last season, more of the same was expected with many of the key players returning for another season. But an improbable rash of injuries and suspensions left top players like Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham, Baylor’s Robert Griffin and Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter sitting along the sideline rather than playing.
Instead, the defenses bit back in 2009, capped by a wild 13-12 victory by Texas over Nebraska in the conference championship game.
The results were seen on the field where the conference started slowly with a 4-7 record in out-of-conference games. Only one of those nonconference wins came after the first week of the season.
Taking advantage of Oklahoma’s injuries and a tight victory in Dallas on Oct. 17 over the Sooners, the Longhorns remained at the front of the Big 12 for most of the season. The Big 12 finished with only one team ranked among the top 19 teams in the final BCS standings and only three in the Top 25.
The bowls will provide a tough challenge for Big 12 teams. Only Texas Tech and Oklahoma are favored among the eight teams that were selected for postseason play.
Texas will be a consensus underdog against Alabama in the Citi BCS Championship Game. It’s exactly the position the Longhorns were in five years ago when they stunned USC in the title game.
A Texas triumph in the Jan. 7 matchup will be necessary to help salvage some of the Big 12’s reputation.
Offensive MVP – Texas quarterback Colt McCoy
Although he struggled in the championship game and against Oklahoma, McCoy was the fulcrum of the league’s best team. Down the stretch he pushed himself into Heisman consideration with 300-yard passing games in three of his last four regular-season games to finish with 3,512 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. But his most impressive number was breaking David Greene’s career won-loss record to set the NCAA mark with a 45-7 record.
Defensive MVP -- Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
After his stellar senior season, Suh might have progressed to a level never approached by a Big 12 defensive player. Suh dominated the game in ways unusual for a defensive tackle as he finished with a team-leading 82 tackles, including 50 solo stops. He was third nationally with 12 sacks, broke up 10 passes and also blocked three kicks. He capped his season with a career-best 12 tackles in the championship game, including a record 4.5 sacks in a performance that earned him a trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy award ceremony.
Newcomer of the Year -- Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas
Thomas was projected as a quarterback when he arrived at Kansas State this summer from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Coach Bill Snyder thought he could help the team more at running back and he emerged as the focal point of a Kansas State defense that took the Wildcats within a game of the North Division title. Thomas led the league with 1,265 rushing yards, 247 attempts, 11 rushing touchdowns and 105.4 yards per game, accounting for more than 100 rushing yards in five different games.
Coach of the Year -- Texas’ Mack Brown
While some could argue for Paul Rhoads and Snyder as possible candidates, Brown’s ability to lead the Longhorns to a perfect 13-0 season, his second Big 12 title and his second BCS title game appearance elevates him over the rest. The Longhorns excelled from the first game as they charged to the first 12-0 regular-season record in school history. He’s also pushed the Longhorns into another BCS bowl game for the fourth time in six seasons. Texas has won all of those previous games, but will be challenged as it faces Alabama as a decided underdog.
Biggest surprise -- Kansas State
The Wildcats were picked to battle to stay out of the North Division cellar and had to break in new players at quarterback and running back. After a 2-2 start in nonconference play capped by a loss at Louisiana -Lafayette, Snyder’s team caught fire behind quarterback Grant Gregory, Thomas and a plucky defense. The Wildcats led the season with a month to go, but couldn’t nail down a title after losses to Missouri and Nebraska. Those losses cost them a bowl appearance, but Snyder proved he could still coach a little bit -- even at the age of 70.
Biggest disappointment -- Oklahoma
The Sooners entered the season as the nation’s No. 3 team and a potential challenger for the BCS title game. But a preseason injury cost them Gresham for the season, and Bradford played less than two complete games before he was knocked out for the season with a shoulder injury. An injury-ravaged offensive line struggled to remain solvent, and the Sooners’ hopes of claiming an unprecedented fourth straight Big 12 title ended after an early loss to Texas. It didn’t stop there as later road losses to Nebraska and Texas Tech left them free-falling all the way to a berth in the Sun Bowl. It left them with a 7-5 record that marked the most losses in the regular season in Bob Stoops’ coaching tenure.
Game of the Year -- Texas 13, Nebraska 12, Big 12 title game, Dec. 5
The defenses dominated this game as the two teams combined for only 308 total yards and converted only eight of 35 third-down plays. But after a fourth Nebraska field goal by Alex Henery had given the Cornhuskers a 12-10 lead with 1:44 left, Texas answered. McCoy mustered a late drive to put the Longhorns in position for a game-winning kick. But as he attempted to run a final play from scrimmage, McCoy appeared to have allowed the game clock to expire as he threw the ball out of bounds. Nebraska players charged the field thinking they had won the game, but game officials ruled there was one second left. Hunter Lawrence took advantage of the remaining time to drill a 46-yard field goal, pushing the Longhorns into the BCS title game. Memories of the extra play will resonate throughout history for Nebraska fans who already believe they were jobbed out of a chance at a surprise Big 12 title.
With all of the promise from last season, more of the same was expected with many of the key players returning for another season. But an improbable rash of injuries and suspensions left top players like Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham, Baylor’s Robert Griffin and Oklahoma State’s Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter sitting along the sideline rather than playing.
Instead, the defenses bit back in 2009, capped by a wild 13-12 victory by Texas over Nebraska in the conference championship game.
The results were seen on the field where the conference started slowly with a 4-7 record in out-of-conference games. Only one of those nonconference wins came after the first week of the season.
Taking advantage of Oklahoma’s injuries and a tight victory in Dallas on Oct. 17 over the Sooners, the Longhorns remained at the front of the Big 12 for most of the season. The Big 12 finished with only one team ranked among the top 19 teams in the final BCS standings and only three in the Top 25.
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Matthew Emmons/US PresswireNdamukong Suh finished third in the nation with 12 sacks.
Matthew Emmons/US PresswireNdamukong Suh finished third in the nation with 12 sacks.Texas will be a consensus underdog against Alabama in the Citi BCS Championship Game. It’s exactly the position the Longhorns were in five years ago when they stunned USC in the title game.
A Texas triumph in the Jan. 7 matchup will be necessary to help salvage some of the Big 12’s reputation.
Offensive MVP – Texas quarterback Colt McCoy
Although he struggled in the championship game and against Oklahoma, McCoy was the fulcrum of the league’s best team. Down the stretch he pushed himself into Heisman consideration with 300-yard passing games in three of his last four regular-season games to finish with 3,512 passing yards and 27 touchdowns. But his most impressive number was breaking David Greene’s career won-loss record to set the NCAA mark with a 45-7 record.
Defensive MVP -- Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh
After his stellar senior season, Suh might have progressed to a level never approached by a Big 12 defensive player. Suh dominated the game in ways unusual for a defensive tackle as he finished with a team-leading 82 tackles, including 50 solo stops. He was third nationally with 12 sacks, broke up 10 passes and also blocked three kicks. He capped his season with a career-best 12 tackles in the championship game, including a record 4.5 sacks in a performance that earned him a trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy award ceremony.
Newcomer of the Year -- Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas
Thomas was projected as a quarterback when he arrived at Kansas State this summer from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Coach Bill Snyder thought he could help the team more at running back and he emerged as the focal point of a Kansas State defense that took the Wildcats within a game of the North Division title. Thomas led the league with 1,265 rushing yards, 247 attempts, 11 rushing touchdowns and 105.4 yards per game, accounting for more than 100 rushing yards in five different games.
Coach of the Year -- Texas’ Mack Brown
While some could argue for Paul Rhoads and Snyder as possible candidates, Brown’s ability to lead the Longhorns to a perfect 13-0 season, his second Big 12 title and his second BCS title game appearance elevates him over the rest. The Longhorns excelled from the first game as they charged to the first 12-0 regular-season record in school history. He’s also pushed the Longhorns into another BCS bowl game for the fourth time in six seasons. Texas has won all of those previous games, but will be challenged as it faces Alabama as a decided underdog.
Biggest surprise -- Kansas State
The Wildcats were picked to battle to stay out of the North Division cellar and had to break in new players at quarterback and running back. After a 2-2 start in nonconference play capped by a loss at Louisiana -Lafayette, Snyder’s team caught fire behind quarterback Grant Gregory, Thomas and a plucky defense. The Wildcats led the season with a month to go, but couldn’t nail down a title after losses to Missouri and Nebraska. Those losses cost them a bowl appearance, but Snyder proved he could still coach a little bit -- even at the age of 70.
Biggest disappointment -- Oklahoma
The Sooners entered the season as the nation’s No. 3 team and a potential challenger for the BCS title game. But a preseason injury cost them Gresham for the season, and Bradford played less than two complete games before he was knocked out for the season with a shoulder injury. An injury-ravaged offensive line struggled to remain solvent, and the Sooners’ hopes of claiming an unprecedented fourth straight Big 12 title ended after an early loss to Texas. It didn’t stop there as later road losses to Nebraska and Texas Tech left them free-falling all the way to a berth in the Sun Bowl. It left them with a 7-5 record that marked the most losses in the regular season in Bob Stoops’ coaching tenure.
Game of the Year -- Texas 13, Nebraska 12, Big 12 title game, Dec. 5
The defenses dominated this game as the two teams combined for only 308 total yards and converted only eight of 35 third-down plays. But after a fourth Nebraska field goal by Alex Henery had given the Cornhuskers a 12-10 lead with 1:44 left, Texas answered. McCoy mustered a late drive to put the Longhorns in position for a game-winning kick. But as he attempted to run a final play from scrimmage, McCoy appeared to have allowed the game clock to expire as he threw the ball out of bounds. Nebraska players charged the field thinking they had won the game, but game officials ruled there was one second left. Hunter Lawrence took advantage of the remaining time to drill a 46-yard field goal, pushing the Longhorns into the BCS title game. Memories of the extra play will resonate throughout history for Nebraska fans who already believe they were jobbed out of a chance at a surprise Big 12 title.
What to watch for in the Big 12, Week 12
November, 19, 2009
11/19/09
8:17
AM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
Here are some items of interest heading into this week's Big 12 games:
Will Zac Robinson play tonight for Oklahoma State? Robinson has made 34 consecutive starts for the Cowboys and is their unquestioned team leader. He’s developed into more of a running threat in recent weeks, reverting to the form that he showed earlier in his career. But his condition is iffy after a brutal head-to-head collision with Texas Tech cornerback Jamar Wall at the end of last week’s game. Robinson’s return to the lineup will be critical as the Cowboys try to win their way into the BCS this season. And if he can’t go tonight, junior Alex Cate would get the first start of his career against Colorado in a huge game in the national spotlight for the Cowboys.
Colorado responds to its role as a spoiler: The Buffaloes are the only Big 12 team without any bowl hopes heading into this week's games. Dan Hawkins predicted before the season that his team would “win 10 games with no excuses.” That dream has long been dashed, but can the Buffaloes ruin Oklahoma State’s BCS at-large hopes before a national television audience? In order to do so, they will have to play their best game of the season.
Big 12 title game or bust for Kansas State: It’s all or nothing for the Wildcats heading into their winner-take-all showdown with Nebraska for the North Division championship Saturday in Lincoln. If the Wildcats can notch an upset, they will qualify for their first championship game berth since 2003 and would qualify for a bowl. If they lose, they are through for the season. KSU coach Bill Snyder said he’s never had a team in these circumstances in his 41-season career as a coach. The Wildcats have won only once at Nebraska since 1968 and will be battling huge odds to extend their season.
Can Roy Helu Jr. continue his recent running binge? Helu has bounced back from an earlier shoulder injury to become the Cornhuskers' most consistent offensive threat, averaging 147 rushing yards per game in his last two games. His strong effort last week seemed to perk up the Cornhuskers’ entire offense in a 31-17 triumph over Kansas. Another big game will be important as the Cornhuskers attempt to claim their first championship game berth since 2006.
Colt McCoy’s last home game: It will be an emotional game Saturday in Austin when McCoy concludes his home career at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against Kansas with the rest of his senior class. McCoy also can notch his 43rd career victory, giving him the NCAA record over David Greene. And the Longhorns can clinch a title game appearance this week with either an Oklahoma State loss or their own victory over the reeling Jayhawks.
Kansas responds to all of the off-the-field dramatics around the program this week: Coach Mark Mangino’s job appears to be in serious jeopardy after reports surfaced of an internal investigation by the school of Mangino’s coaching methods. The slumping Jayhawks have dropped their last five games after starting the season 5-0 and soaring as high as No. 16 in the national polls. A victory would qualify the team for its third straight bowl appearance under Mangino -- a feat that has never occurred in the 120-season history of the program. But a loss would mean Kansas would have to qualify for a bowl game next week with a victory over Missouri, or stay home from the bowls entirely.
Can Oklahoma halt its road woes? The Sooners are 1-4 away from Owen Field this season and have seen their scoring average plunge from 49.8 points at home to 16.8 points in games away from home. They need a big effort and a more consistent running game in order to beat Texas Tech in Lubbock for the first time since 2003. Bob Stoops will try to avoid his first three-game losing streak in any conference facility. Stoops has lost three consecutive games in the Orange Bowl, but has never endured a streak like that inside any rival Big 12 home stadium.
Who starts at quarterback for Texas Tech? Mike Leach admitted earlier this week that he made a mistake by taking Taylor Potts out of the game last week when he removed him for Steven Sheffield midway through the Red Raiders’ loss at Oklahoma State. Sheffield was game, but showed the effects of foot surgery he underwent only a month earlier. Will Leach start Potts against the talented Oklahoma defense and will he show more patience in sticking with him after an early mistake or two? Or will he prefer a lift from Sheffield, who seems to provide his team with a boost with his running abilities when he enters the game?
The Battle of the Brazos -- with legitimate bowl ramifications for a change: It’s been a long time since both Baylor and Texas A&M both had bowl hopes in a game between the two old rivals late in the season. The Aggies can wrap up their first bowl berth since 2007 with a victory. And the Bears can grab an improbable bowl berth -- thought to be an impossibility after the earlier season-ending injury to Robert Griffin -- by winning against the Aggies and beating Texas Tech next week in Arlington. Baylor will be facing some long odds as it attempts to beat A&M at Kyle Field for the first time since 1984. A victory here would clearly be Art Briles' biggest triumph since his arrival at Baylor.
Can Danario Alexander do it again? Missouri's talented senior wide receiver has developed into the league’s biggest offensive weapon in recent weeks after posting back-to-back 200-yard receiving games against Baylor and Kansas State. He will be gunning for a third straight 200-yard game -- a feat that would tie him with Tulsa’s Howard Twilley and Nevada’s Trevor Insley for an NCAA record. Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert will be leaning on Alexander a little more with the injury to starting wide receiver Jared Perry. But the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Alexander’s hopes should be boosted by the fact he will be playing against an undersized Iowa State starting secondary that averages only 5-foot-9.
Will Zac Robinson play tonight for Oklahoma State? Robinson has made 34 consecutive starts for the Cowboys and is their unquestioned team leader. He’s developed into more of a running threat in recent weeks, reverting to the form that he showed earlier in his career. But his condition is iffy after a brutal head-to-head collision with Texas Tech cornerback Jamar Wall at the end of last week’s game. Robinson’s return to the lineup will be critical as the Cowboys try to win their way into the BCS this season. And if he can’t go tonight, junior Alex Cate would get the first start of his career against Colorado in a huge game in the national spotlight for the Cowboys.
Colorado responds to its role as a spoiler: The Buffaloes are the only Big 12 team without any bowl hopes heading into this week's games. Dan Hawkins predicted before the season that his team would “win 10 games with no excuses.” That dream has long been dashed, but can the Buffaloes ruin Oklahoma State’s BCS at-large hopes before a national television audience? In order to do so, they will have to play their best game of the season.
Big 12 title game or bust for Kansas State: It’s all or nothing for the Wildcats heading into their winner-take-all showdown with Nebraska for the North Division championship Saturday in Lincoln. If the Wildcats can notch an upset, they will qualify for their first championship game berth since 2003 and would qualify for a bowl. If they lose, they are through for the season. KSU coach Bill Snyder said he’s never had a team in these circumstances in his 41-season career as a coach. The Wildcats have won only once at Nebraska since 1968 and will be battling huge odds to extend their season.
Can Roy Helu Jr. continue his recent running binge? Helu has bounced back from an earlier shoulder injury to become the Cornhuskers' most consistent offensive threat, averaging 147 rushing yards per game in his last two games. His strong effort last week seemed to perk up the Cornhuskers’ entire offense in a 31-17 triumph over Kansas. Another big game will be important as the Cornhuskers attempt to claim their first championship game berth since 2006.
Colt McCoy’s last home game: It will be an emotional game Saturday in Austin when McCoy concludes his home career at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against Kansas with the rest of his senior class. McCoy also can notch his 43rd career victory, giving him the NCAA record over David Greene. And the Longhorns can clinch a title game appearance this week with either an Oklahoma State loss or their own victory over the reeling Jayhawks.
Kansas responds to all of the off-the-field dramatics around the program this week: Coach Mark Mangino’s job appears to be in serious jeopardy after reports surfaced of an internal investigation by the school of Mangino’s coaching methods. The slumping Jayhawks have dropped their last five games after starting the season 5-0 and soaring as high as No. 16 in the national polls. A victory would qualify the team for its third straight bowl appearance under Mangino -- a feat that has never occurred in the 120-season history of the program. But a loss would mean Kansas would have to qualify for a bowl game next week with a victory over Missouri, or stay home from the bowls entirely.
Can Oklahoma halt its road woes? The Sooners are 1-4 away from Owen Field this season and have seen their scoring average plunge from 49.8 points at home to 16.8 points in games away from home. They need a big effort and a more consistent running game in order to beat Texas Tech in Lubbock for the first time since 2003. Bob Stoops will try to avoid his first three-game losing streak in any conference facility. Stoops has lost three consecutive games in the Orange Bowl, but has never endured a streak like that inside any rival Big 12 home stadium.
Who starts at quarterback for Texas Tech? Mike Leach admitted earlier this week that he made a mistake by taking Taylor Potts out of the game last week when he removed him for Steven Sheffield midway through the Red Raiders’ loss at Oklahoma State. Sheffield was game, but showed the effects of foot surgery he underwent only a month earlier. Will Leach start Potts against the talented Oklahoma defense and will he show more patience in sticking with him after an early mistake or two? Or will he prefer a lift from Sheffield, who seems to provide his team with a boost with his running abilities when he enters the game?
The Battle of the Brazos -- with legitimate bowl ramifications for a change: It’s been a long time since both Baylor and Texas A&M both had bowl hopes in a game between the two old rivals late in the season. The Aggies can wrap up their first bowl berth since 2007 with a victory. And the Bears can grab an improbable bowl berth -- thought to be an impossibility after the earlier season-ending injury to Robert Griffin -- by winning against the Aggies and beating Texas Tech next week in Arlington. Baylor will be facing some long odds as it attempts to beat A&M at Kyle Field for the first time since 1984. A victory here would clearly be Art Briles' biggest triumph since his arrival at Baylor.
Can Danario Alexander do it again? Missouri's talented senior wide receiver has developed into the league’s biggest offensive weapon in recent weeks after posting back-to-back 200-yard receiving games against Baylor and Kansas State. He will be gunning for a third straight 200-yard game -- a feat that would tie him with Tulsa’s Howard Twilley and Nevada’s Trevor Insley for an NCAA record. Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert will be leaning on Alexander a little more with the injury to starting wide receiver Jared Perry. But the 6-foot-5, 215-pound Alexander’s hopes should be boosted by the fact he will be playing against an undersized Iowa State starting secondary that averages only 5-foot-9.
Pregame ponderables for Texas-Baylor
November, 14, 2009
11/14/09
11:30
AM ET
By Tim Griffin | ESPN.com
WACO, Texas -- Fans have started filing into Floyd Casey Stadium. Interestingly, most of them are burnt orange-wearing Texas fans.
The Longhorns conceivably could wrap up a trip to the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas, tonight by beating Baylor and if Oklahoma State loses tonight to Texas Tech.
When the No. 3 Longhorns begin play in about an hour, here are some of the pre-game storylines I’m considering.
The Longhorns conceivably could wrap up a trip to the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas, tonight by beating Baylor and if Oklahoma State loses tonight to Texas Tech.
When the No. 3 Longhorns begin play in about an hour, here are some of the pre-game storylines I’m considering.
- Colt McCoy's Heisman hopes: McCoy is coming off a career-best 470-yard effort that was only three yards away from the school’s single-game passing record. He’ll be attacking a Baylor defense that was blistered for 468 yards by Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert last week. He’ll also be gunning to tie the career NCAA FCS record for career victories held by David Greene of Georgia. McCoy is 41-7 and Greene is 42-10. A big game for McCoy could again resonate through a long day of football highlights.
- Mack Brown’s Baylor mastery: Brown is 11-0 against Baylor and every one of those victories has been by double-digits. His previous five triumphs in Waco came by margins of 62, 49, 56, 62 and 31 points.Baylor is one of five Big 12 opponents that has never beaten Texas under Mack Brown. The Horns are 12-0 against Oklahoma State, 11-0 vs. Baylor, 6-0 vs. Iowa State, 6-0 vs. Missouri and 5-0 vs. Kansas since Brown took over in 1998. Texas hosts Kansas next week.
- Baylor’s fleeting bowl hopes: The Bears need to win two of their last three games to become bowl eligible. They haven’t played in a bowl game since the 1994 Alamo Bowl loss to Washington State. After Texas, Baylor travels to Texas A&M and plays Texas Tech at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
- Cody Johnson’s first start for the Longhorns at tailback: The bullish 240-pound sophomore will receive his first starting opportunity against Baylor. He’s emerged as the most consistent threat in a sputtering running game. He’ll be facing a Baylor defense that has yielded at least 200 yards three different times this season but held Missouri to a season-low 10 rushing yards last week.
- James Kirkendoll's return to the starting lineup: The junior wide receiver started off fast but has struggled recently. But strong work in practice has enabled him to return to the starting lineup. Kirkendoll will get the start at split end while Jordan Shipley moves back to flanker.
- How Nick Florence handles his big game last week: Florence set a school record by passing for 427 yards last week, blistering Missouri for three touchdowns -- more touchdowns than he had thrown in his previous 147 pass attempts in his career. It will be tough for his recent success to translate against an emerging Texas secondary that has limited opponents to an average of 106 passing yards in the last three weeks, with only two touchdown passes and six interceptions. The Longhorns have limited rival passers to a quarterback efficiency rating of 82.13 during those games. The national leader for the season is Florida at 85.86.
- Baylor’s running game against Texas’ leading rush defense: Since Robert Griffin was lost for the season in the Bears’ third game of the season on Sept. 26, the Bears have managed to top 100 yards only once. They produced 38 yards on 28 carries last week against Missouri and will be facing the nation’s top rushing defense. Texas has allowed only two rushing touchdowns all season and only one since the opening game of the season. This will be a tough test for the Bears’ rushing attack.
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