What is the best play you’ve seen this season by any SEC player?

We asked the SDS staff that very question this week. Dak Prescott rules the roost right now for the play that first gave him and Mississippi State a national stage.

WHAT’S THE SINGLE BEST PLAY YOU’VE SEEN IN THE SEC THIS SEASON?

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Dak Prescott’s 56-yard touchdown run against LSU

The one glaring play that stands out in 2014 is Dak Prescott’s 56-yard touchdown run against LSU in Death Valley. Quarterbacks just don’t do that to LSU’s defense, and everyone knew Prescott had arrived when he reeled off that incredible run that silenced the Baton Rouge night. Sure, more prolific plays have been made — one-handed grabs, etc., but that play stands out the most. We knew MSU had really arrived as a premier contender for the College Football Playoff, and that game jumpstarted Prescott’s Heisman campaign.

Chris Walsh (@CrimsonWalsh): Blake Sims’ 24-yard pass to Brandon Greene in OT

I’m a little biased on this one because this happened in front of me and I knew the back story, but I have to go with Alabama’s first play in overtime against LSU. Alabama quickly broke the huddle in a way that wouldn’t give the defense much of a chance to react, and went five wide including Cam Robinson. The freshman left tackle faked that he was to get a screen pass while the player who had lined up in his spot was eligible and no one picked him up. Brandon Greene had spent the past couple of years going back and forth between tackle and tight end, and not only didn’t have a reception but even an attempt thrown his way. He wasn’t listed on the depth chart distributed in the press box, but quietly warmed up with the starters before kickoff. His 24-yard reception set up the game-winning touchdown. Second place: Arkansas offensive lineman Sebastian Tretola throwing a touchdown pass (albeit in a pretty meaningless game).

Jason Hall (@JasonHallSDS): Sammie Coates’ TD catch against Texas A&M

Trailing 41-31, quarterback Nick Marshall threw downfield to Coates on second-and-10. With two defenders by his receiver, Marshall placed the ball where only Coates could catch it, which he did on a diving play. Auburn capped off its drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.

Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Dak Prescott’s 56-yard touchdown run against LSU

Mississippi State burst on the scene in the SEC West in late September when it stunned a top 10 LSU team at night in Death Valley. That night, Dak Prescott also launched his Heisman campaign with a spectacular 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of what was a seven-point game at the time. Prescott had fumbled on MSU’s previous possession, allowing LSU to cut a 14-point Bulldogs lead in half with a defensive score. Nevertheless, he ran around and/or through most of the Tigers defense on his touchdown run the following drive, helping lead Mississippi State to its signature win. Prescott has made more than a few spectacular plays since then and Mississippi State remains unbeaten in 2014, but that incredible touchdown run in Baton Rouge is where the Bulldogs’ magical season truly began, making it the play of the year in the SEC.

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Dak Prescott’s 56-yard touchdown run against LSU

Dak Prescott’s 56-yard touchdown run through the heart of LSU’s defense in Death Valley earlier this season was captivating, Mississippi State’s ‘we’re here now’ moment. Facing a 3rd-and-3 near midfield, Prescott blasted through a hole on a designed draw and raced toward the Tigers secondary after a breaking a tackle just past the line of scrimmage. Wideout De’Runnya Wilson sprung Prescott the final five yards before he dove into the end zone for a two-score lead. It was Prescott’s most impressive play this season and one that kicked off his Heisman campaign.

Drew Laing (@DLaingSDS): Preston Smith’s interception for a TD

I would have to go with Mississippi State’s Preston Smith and his one-handed INT for a TD against UAB. Considering he’s a 270-pound defensive lineman, the athleticism he displayed on that play was amazing. The best part is that he dropped back in coverage, made the pick and housed it for a pick-six. A close second for me would have to be when I sank 4 of 5 putts on the office putting green a few weeks back. The crowd went nuts!

Jordan Cox (@Jordan_Cox): Sammie Coates’ catch against Texas A&M

think it’s Sammie Coates incredible catch falling down against Texas A&M. It wasn’t the longest pass play — just 39 yards — but Coates was double-covered, falling down and got the pass interference call. Nick Marshall threw a rocket and only where his guy could catch it.  Also the timing of the catch plays a part. It was midway through the fourth quarter with Auburn frantically trying to comeback. A few plays later, Marshall scampered in for a touchdown to pull the Tigers closer.

Brett Weisband (@WeisbandSDS): Malachi Dupre’s TD catch against Alabama

This might be a bit of recency bias, but I haven’t seen a catch better than Malachi Dupre’s one-handed touchdown grab against Alabama at any point during the season. The combination of factors — the gravity of the game, Cyrus Jones’ coverage, the incredibly tight window the throw fit into, Dupre’s hands and body control — all make it ridiculously impressive. It’s made even more mind-blowing by the fact that Dupre is a true freshman. There aren’t many players in the country capable of making a catch like Dupre did.

Christopher Smith
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.