Top 10 SEC Games of 2016

No. 10) South Carolina 24, Tennessee 21

In what was arguably the biggest upset of the year in the SEC, the South Carolina Gamecocks derailed Tennessee’s SEC East hopes thanks to two interceptions from Jamarcus King and a solid performance from quarterback Jake Bentley, who in his second start completed 15-of-20 passes and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Vols struggled to get anything going on offense, as quarterback Joshua Dobbs completed only 12 of his 26 passes. Tennessee had a chance to tie the game late, but Aaron Medley’s 58-yard field goal attempt missed.

No. 9) Mississippi State 35, Texas A&M 28

Another upset, this time spearheaded by one of the best performances by an SEC quarterback this season. Life without Dak Prescott was an adjustment for Mississippi State, but after finishing 2016 strong, it appears they have their man of the future in Nick Fitzgerald. Against the Aggies, Fitzgerald gained 391 yards of total offense (209 passing, 182 rushing) and scored four total touchdowns.

No. 8) Arkansas 34, Ole Miss 30

Maybe Chad Kelly was still rattled after engaging in a high school brawl the previous Saturday, but regardless, he wasn’t himself against the Razorbacks. Meanwhile, Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen (three touchdown passes) and Rawleigh Williams III (180 rushing yards) shredded a helpless Rebel defense before Jared Cornelius scored the game-winning touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

No. 7) Auburn 18, LSU 13

The game that got Les Miles fired was also the game that turned Auburn’s season around. Quarterback Sean White finally began developing rhythm through the air (19-of-26, 233 yards) and the defense didn’t allow Leonard Fournette to execute one of his trademark 75-yard touchdown scampers. LSU thought they had executed a game-winning touchdown with zeros on the clock, but the replay later showed they snapped the ball just a hair after the game had officially ended.

No. 6) Georgia 28, Missouri 27

If Jacob Eason lives up to the hype and becomes a Georgia legend, this is the game where it all began. Facing a fourth-and-10 down 27-21 late in the game, Eason threw a gorgeous 20-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah McKenzie, giving the Bulldogs the 28-27 victory and his first signature moment.

No. 5) Florida 16, LSU 10

There was drama both on and off the field for this one. Florida and LSU were initially scheduled to play in October, but the game was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew. Paranoid fan bases (*cough* Tennessee *cough*) legitimately believed this game would not be played, but that was never a serious option, as the SEC made sure of it. The game was eventually played in late November in Baton Rouge as opposed to its original location in Gainesville, where Florida ended up clinching the SEC East after stuffing Derrius Guice at the goal line on the game’s final play.

No. 4) Ole Miss 29, Texas A&M 28

The legend of Shea Patterson. Oxford’s Johnny Manziel. Making plays, making money (it’s a Hugh Freeze run program, you know he’s making money) and taking names. Down 21-6 heading into the fourth quarter, Patterson’s veins instantly froze, and the freshman delivered with clutch play after clutch play. In the final frame, Patterson threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to bring the Rebels within two before orchestrating a game-winning drive to give Ole Miss a much-needed victory.

No. 3) Alabama 48, Ole Miss 43

Ole Miss always seems to be a thorn in Alabama’s side. In 2014 and 2015, the Rebels got the best of Nick Saban’s dynasty, but the Crimson Tide sought revenge this season. Initially, it looked like third time wasn’t going to be the charm for Roll Tide, as Ole Miss grabbed a 24-3 first-half lead. However, in what would be a common theme for the remainder of the season, Alabama used a non-offensive touchdown to change the game’s momentum. After falling behind by three touchdowns, Alabama outscored Ole Miss 45-19.

No. 2) Texas A&M 45, Tennessee 38 (2OT)

This one felt like it lasted forever. Once the dust settled, Tennessee and Texas A&M combined to score 83 points and gain 1,276 yards of total offense. For the fifth time in six games, the Vols overcame a double-digit deficit, this time crawling back from a 28-7 deficit before tying the game at 35 late in the fourth quarter. However, Tennessee fell victim to turnovers all afternoon long, committing a total of seven, with the seventh occurring at the worst possible time: a Joshua Dobbs interception in overtime.

No. 1) Tennessee 34, Georgia 31

This game had it all: A historic rivalry, a dual-threat senior quarterback against a supremely talented freshman quarterback, dramatic fumbles and a Hail Mary in response to another Hail Mary. Whether it was Jalen Hurd’s inexplicable fumble as he was blasted from behind while prancing into the end zone or Jacob Eason’s head-scratching decision to pump fake in his own end zone, which resulted in a fumble recovered by Tennessee for a touch down, both fan bases were on the edge of their seats for the majority of this game. However, when Eason delivered a 47-yard bomb to Riley Ridley with ten seconds remaining to give the Bulldogs a 31-28 lead, it appeared Georgia would escape with a victory. However, the Vols responded with a Hail Mary of their own, as Dobbs launched a 43-yard touchdown to Jauan Jennings in the waning seconds.

Edited by Nathan Odom

Featured image by Donald Page, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics