2011 certainly had some memorable plays throughout the season. And I’m sure you can think of more plays that stood out in your mind from one of your favorite players.

Here are SDS’ top five plays of 2011:

Joe Adams – 60-yard punt return TD against Tennessee

Morris Claiborne – 99-yard kickoff return TD against West Virginia

Melvin Ingram – Fake punt TD run

Tyrann Mathieu – SEC Championship punt return TD

Trent Richardson – 76-yard TD run against Ole Miss

Any others that were your favorite?

Most of the time, the SEC likes to brag about its litany of national championships, All-Americans and NFL draft picks.

This year is no different.

After leading all of college football with 42 selections, here’s 10 players from the SEC you’ll be hearing about this season:

IMPACT FIVE

5. Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina (Buffalo Bills) - The Gamecocks’ three-year starter and former Mr. Football in the state of South Carolina has a chance to be the cornerstone of Buffalo’s defense with a rare combination of athletic ability and ball skills. While he struggles at times against pump fakes and taller wide receivers, Gilmore’s speed should make up for occasional mental lapses in the secondary.

4. Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia (Buffalo Bills) — One of the best “steals” of Day One, Glenn slipped to Buffalo at No. 42 overall and should start from day one for the Bills. Glenn was tabbed with a first-round grade by most experts, so hearing his name called in the second round was a bit of a surprise for the former Bulldog. At 6-foot-5, 350 pounds, Glenn is a monster to run behind. Already one of the NFL’s least-sacked quarterbacks, Ryan Fitzpatrick, is happy if Glenn starts at left tackle.

3. Morris Claiborne, DB, LSU (Dallas Cowboys) — Claiborne will be a star in Big D … in due time. He’ll make an impact this season in the return game and — in certain packages — on defense. He’s a natural ballhawk with 11 interceptions over his final two seasons in Baton Rouge. And please disregard the Wonderlic score! It proves nothing. Claiborne admitted to blowing it off since it doesn’t consist of football-related questions. He won’t have a problem with the Cowboys’ playbook, nor covering some of the NFL’s top wideouts at the line of scrimmage.

2. Courtney Upshaw, LB, Alabama (Baltimore Ravens) — Whether it’s Upshaw or fellow Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower here, both linebackers are interchangeable talents. Upshaw will fit right into Baltimore’s 3-4 scheme as a hybrid pass-rusher and run-stopper. Like Hightower, Upshaw can play off the edge or drop back into coverage with relative ease. Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome traded up to get Upshaw, an impact player who will be on the field more often than not as a rookie. He’ll be in the starting mix according to head coach John Harbaugh.

1. Mark Barron, FS, Alabama (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) — One of five Crimson Tide standouts to be picked in the first 35 selections, Barron brings supreme talent to a unit that under-performed in 2011. The Bucs need all the help they can get on a defense that ranked last in the league with 30.9 PPG allowed. The Bucs also gave up an NFL-high 6.3 yards per play. In the same secondary as veteran corner Ronde Barber, Tampa’s pass defense got a serious hard-hitting upgrade in Barron.

POTENTIAL BUSTS

5. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama (Cleveland Browns) — Definitely a shocking pick as a potential bust, Alabama’s Heisman finalist is a tank that takes no prisoners with the ball in his hands, but shouldering the load in Cleveland after off-season knee surgery raises questions. Richardson could be a serious stud and perennial 1,500-yard running back, he’s that good. The other end of the spectrum seems more likely, at least, early in his career behind an offensive line in Cleveland that struggled last season.

4. Rueben Randle, WR, LSU (New York Giants) — Randle is in a good position with the defending champs, but there was a handful of better options for the Giants at this spot in the draft. Picked to replace Mario Manningham, New York ultimately went with LSU’s most reliable target who blossomed as a junior with eight touchdown receptions. Randle could mature into Eli Manning’s best option on the outside, but that will take a few games, seasons perhaps. This fall, he’ll battle Jerrel Jernigan for the Giants’ third wideout spot behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

3. Melvin Ingram, DE/LB, South Carolina (San Diego Chargers) — Labeled a tweener by most analysts, Ingram’s lack of size as a defensive lineman raises questions on how he’ll perform at the line of scrimmage in the pros. At 6-1, 260 pounds it seems more likely that Ingram will play linebacker in San Diego or become a third-down blitz specialist. I think it’s laughable that some folks have mentioned Ingram being a weapon on special teams. That worked momentarily at South Carolina, but won’t in the NFL. With that being said, he’s an athletic playmaker that can help in a variety of areas and a safe gamble for the Chargers.

2. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU (St. Louis Rams) — Brockers grew from a 250-pound defensive end as a freshman to an agile, 320-pound tackle over his final two seasons but it’s that added size that could negatively affect his ability to chase down opposing running backs and now, some quarterbacks. As dominant as LSU’s defense was last season, Brockers only had two sacks and didn’t force a fumble, so calling him a feared pass-rusher isn’t exactly accurate. Playing in St. Louis without much talent around him won’t help his cause.

1. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina (Chicago Bears) — I said it months ago and I’ll say it again: I don’t see Alshon making an impact in professional football. He doesn’t have top-end speed, is a sloppy route runner and has trouble creating separation. Against talented NFL defensive backs, I don’t think he’ll be able to make the same highlight-worthy catches he made during his first two seasons in Columbia. He’s still a formidable downfield threat with great hands and leaping ability, but issues with his speed will be detrimental to his progress. Alshon’s only experience in freezing temperatures was at the Papa Johns Bowl his freshman season. Like most wideouts that afternoon, he had a case of the drops. In the end, he could be Justin Blackmon-good, or just an interchangeable possession guy for quarterback Jay Cutler. The Bears took a chance and hope it pans out.

The interesting part of the story is that Claiborne had zero interaction with the Cowboys leading up to the draft. In today’s NFL, most of the top prospects are thoroughly vetted and have long meetings with the staffs of potential teams looking to draft them. Not so with Morris Claiborne and the Dallas Cowboys.

While the Cowboys had plenty of tape to look at, and Claiborne is widely considered a near sure thing to play cornerback at the NFL level, there’s one other connection that aided the Cowboys in their decision. LSU coach Les Miles was the tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-2000. Current Cowboy coach Jason Garrett of course was the back-up quarterback for the Cowboys during 1998-1999. As Garrett told Colin Cowherd today, his relationship with Les Miles has been in place for some time.

Have a listen to the call when Morris Claiborne learned he would be a Dallas Cowboy from Jerry Jones himself as well as the Cowboys coaches. The emotion and surprise of Claiborne is evident.

Flip through a college football preseason magazine and you’re sure to see returning star quarterbacks Matt Barkley and Landry Jones, leaders of the heralded offenses at BCS big wigs Southern Cal and Oklahoma.

In the middle — in full, glossy color — lies a poster of speedsters De’Anthony Thomas and Tavon Austin, a pair of 2012 Heisman candidates who provide most of Sportscenter’s highlight footage from Eugene, Ore. and Morgantown, W. Va.

Somewhere in the front half of the publication — past the UGA infatuation — you’ll see an insert of Les Miles and his LSU Tigers, a precursor to a story about the epic fail that was the Alabama game.

Is this lack of respect really fair? Have folks forgotten about the Bayou Bengals?

After all, the Mad Hatter and his Tigers have won 24 of their last 27 games including an impressive 13 contests against ranked teams. They gave the Ducks and Mountaineers the business in prime time early in 2011, but after stinking it up on offense against the Tide in New Orleans, LSU is suddenly afterthought.

Somewhere, the Honey Badger is smiling.

And ready to force another fumble.

The Tigers, a preseason Top 5 in most way-too-early polls, have eight home games this season and one challenging road game (Arkansas in November). The non-conference tilts, compared to last year’s gauntlet, is laughable — four automatic wins (North Texas, Washington, Idaho and Towson).

LSU’s strength, like most of the SEC’s previous six national champions, is on defense and despite losing Morris Claiborne and Michael Brockers to the draft, most of the other impact players are back led by all-everything playmaker Tyrann Mathieu. Zach Mettenberger is the starting quarterback, a game-manager with a big arm who performs a lot like Alabama’s AJ McCarron.

In the spring game, Mettenberger completed 14-of-25 passes for 270 yards and two scores. Three completions spanned at least 45 yards. Most of the pressure to repeat as SEC champions will be on LSU’s offense, a unit intent on ground-and-pound with Mettenberger’s occasional deep ball.

Running backs Michael Ford and Spencer Ware each are capable of 1,000-yard seasons, especially with a new quarterback who won’t have the freedom Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson had in the latter portion of last season. Junior Alfred Blue and his career 6.5 yards-per-carry average returns as a third option in one of the conference’s most powerful backfields.

Senior wideout Russell Shepard — after three less-than-stellar seasons — thought about parting ways with the Tigers in January before rethinking his decision days later. A heralded five-star dual-threat quarterback out of Cypress Ridge High School in Texas, I’m still waiting on a package exclusively designed to utilize Shepard’s arm in Baton Rouge. If LSU’s offense wants to have more success in the downfield passing game, he’ll need a big season.

Since only a handful of prognosticators have LSU back in the BCS title game, what are these glaring weaknesses keeping the Tigers away from Miami? I still don’t see any.

In fact, the squad’s special teams unit — an area of the game that decides contests in the SEC — is one of the best in the country.

Sophomore punter Brad Wing is special, perhaps the Tigers most important player heading into this season. LSU will need his leg early while it masters an offense orchestrated by a first-year starter under center. Wing had a 44.4-yard average as a freshman and had six boots of at least 55 yards, including the mammoth 73-yarder in Tuscaloosa.

Senior kicker Drew Alleman made 16-of-18 field goals and is nearly automatic from 45 yards and in. If you need a BCS champion frontrunner, it’s LSU.

And outside of perhaps Alabama, there’s no SEC team that will win more games this season.

Take away Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Justin Blackmon from the top picks and what’s left? A bunch of can’t-miss, Sunday-ready defensive stars from the nation’s toughest conference patrolling a backfield — or secondary — near you.

What would an all-SEC draft day be without a few surprises …

1. Indianapolis Colts: With Peyton Manning’s future up in the air in Indy, the Colts need a franchise player in this position with the top pick — not necessarily a quarterback. Colts GM Ryan Grigson narrows it to two players, Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill and LSU’s Morris Claiborne, before making a selection. Indy needs an insurance policy on Peyton … Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M.

2. St. Louis Rams: The Rams aren’t trading away the No. 2 pick in this draft with the standout player they’ve wanted all along still on the board. The shocking news of Luck and RGIII pulling out of the draft means Sam Bradford’s the future in STL. This All-American will start from Day 1 on the carpet in St. Louis and may even have an impact in the return game like his brethren in Arizona … Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU.

3. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota needs to draft remaining top-tier talent rather than need with the third pick, eliminating wideouts Rueben Randle and Alshon Jeffery from the mix. Troy Williamson never worked out under the dome and the Vikes didn’t resign Sidney Rice, both former Gamecocks. Adrian Peterson is the franchise player, but this All-SEC sensation can benefit the other side of the football and its multitude of problems early … Melvin Ingram, LB/DT, South Carolina.

4. Cleveland Browns: Remember Madden cover boy Peyton Hillis? Neither do I. Cleveland hasn’t decided whether the tailback will be re-signed, tagged or dumped into free agency. Tampa tried to move up at the last second to grab this selection, but the Buccaneers were not giving the Brownies enough draft picks in return … Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman and the Bucs had the rug pulled out from under them in the first round after the Browns picked up Trent Richardson. In need of another Crimson Tide star, a lanky cornerback has his name called to eventually replace the aging — but talented — Ronde Barber … Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama.

6. Washington Redskins: Dan Snider has pulled a fast one on everyone in attendance and watching around the world. Roger Goodell just called a speedy athlete from Athens, Ga. with the No. 6 overall pick. Snider must think this two-way player is a cross between Santana Moss and LaRon Landry. Time will tell how this pick turns out … Brandon Boykin, CB, Georgia.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Help along the defensive line is a necessity in Jacksonville and a couple of tackles are sitting in the front row waiting to be called. It’s either Miss. St’s Fletcher Cox or LSU’s Michael Brockers for the Jags since Ingram went to the Vikings with the third overall pick … Fletcher Cox, DT, Miss. St.

8. Miami Dolphins: Hootie frontman Darius Rucker has another reason to cry for his beloved pro football team. After GM Jeff Ireland tries valiantly to acquire Manning from Indy in a sign-and-trade, he drafts an offensive lineman to further frustrate the South Beach fanbase. Well, someone has to block for Chad Henne and J.P. Losman … Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia.

9. Carolina Panthers: Move over Steve Smith. Armanti Edwards? You can slide further down the bench. Cam Newton teams up with a physically-gifted target with big hands and a knack for coming down with the football. Questions about his weight and speed are put to rest when this South Carolina native sprints up to the podium donning the draft’s most subtle garnet and black suit … Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina.

10. Buffalo Bills: Finally, a schedule selection that fits in most mock drafts. The Bills need help on the outside, especially someone who can cover that pesky Wes Welker on the drag route two games a season … Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama.

11. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have been SEC-heavy in recent drafts. Dexter McCluster, Javier Arenas and Eric Berry made splashes as rookies and Kansas City believes it is a team stacked with young talent. It’s hard to believe former LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is already a four-year veteran. He’ll be joined by another Bayou Bengal who has slid to No. 11 …. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Head coach Pete Carroll and the rest of Seattle’s brain-trust has spent the entire offseason looking for another weapon to follow Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is the only household name in the rainy city and he’ll be a free agent after this season. It’s too early to select Vick Ballard or Tauren Poole, so the Seahawks go defense. But be careful, picking a linebacker didn’t work out in 2009 with Aaron Curry … Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald is begging for a sidekick in the desert, another target to ease some of the pressure off the former Pittsburgh Heisman candidate. The Cardinals are afraid of the lack of size associated with two available Arkansas wideouts, so they draft a Tiger — LSU’s third selection of the first round … Rueben Randle, WR, LSU.

14. Dallas Cowboys: With lock-down corner Dre Kirkpatrick off the board, the Cowboys eye the next-best defensive back. This guy excelled at the combine and should fit it nicely in the Big D secondary. He may even see a few snaps in the Wildcat (note: sometimes no Tony Romo is better than shotgun Romo) … Stephon Gilmore, CB, South Carolina.

15. Philadelphia Eagles: Most pundits think Philly goes defense here, possibly linebacker, but the athletes the Eagles wanted have already been selected. Who is the top remaining player from the SEC? It would be hard to argue against Georgia’s Orson Charles, but Philadelphia already has three tight ends on roster. Unable to deal the pick, the Eagles stay up front … Ben Jones, C, Georgia.

16. New York Jets: Rex Ryan and the Jets are feasting at No. 16. For some reason, an Alabama ballhawk is available for the taking. He’ll gladly join a talented secondary for the rookie minimum in New York … Mark Barron, SS, Alabama.

17. Cincinnati Bengals: Cincy thought about going with former Florida standout Janoris Jenkins in the middle of the first round, but leaned towards a player without any off-the-field troubles. This defender becomes the Commodores’ first opening-round pick since Jay Cutler in 2006 … Casey Hayward, CB, Vanderbilt.

18. San Diego Chargers: When will Philip Rivers, one of the AFC’s top quarterbacks, win a Super Bowl? Whenever the Chargers decide on playing consistent, mistake-free football is the short answer. San Diego looks deep south on its draft board with the 18th pick. Think mini-Antonio Gates … Orson Charles, TE, Georgia.

19. Chicago Bears: LSU DB Brandon Taylor raised eyebrows in the Bears’ camp with sparkling combine numbers but even Chicago is skeptical on selecting a projected fifth-rounder. Drafting a 6-foot-6, 300-pound blocker is usually a safe bet in the NFL and the Bears choose that route … Brandon Mosley, OT, Auburn.

20. Tennessee Titans: Methinks the Titans are a little too Chris Johnson-happy with this pick. Along with Washington’s surprise selection of Brandon Boykin 6th overall, Tennessee raises some eyebrows in the back after requesting an invoice for this track star … Chris Rainey, RB, Florida.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Rookie and new signee Casey Hayward helps the front office with Cincy’s next pick. These two battled a few years as SEC East Division rivals even though both were starters on defense … Antonio Allen, SS, South Carolina.

22. Cleveland Browns: What a draft it has been for the Cleveland Browns. First, they grab Alabama’s Trent Richardson fourth overall then trade a 2013 first-round pick to the Detroit Lions for this year’s 23rd overall selection. For what reason you ask? Speed … Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas.

23. Cleveland Browns: Acquired via deal with Detroit, the Browns go back to the SEC West for another playmaker who so happens to be teammates with pick No. 22 Joe Adams. Cleveland’s receiving corps overhaul continues … Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Big Ben and the Terrible Towels got away from smash-mouth football last season to a more sexy spread attack. The result? A wild-card playoff loss to the Denver Tim Tebows. The Steelers get back to a powerful backfield with their tailback of the future … Vick Ballard, RB, Miss. St.

25. Denver Broncos: John Elway and the rest of Denver’s brass skipped the draft festivities in New York. Instead, the Broncos sent in Tebow to grade players and make the team’s only first-round pick. The former Gator noticed a highly-rated lineman still on the board capable of protecting his blind side next season in the pocket or on the run … Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss.

26. Houston Texans: Can Houston keep defensive end Mario Williams? The former top draft pick is in line for a big pay day should he avoid injury and accumulate some sacks next season. In lieu of Williams’ expected absence, the Texans move on … Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas.

27. New England Patriots: The Patriots wanted Miss. St’s Fletcher Cox to solidify a front run that couldn’t stop the run in the Super Bowl. Too bad. Cox was gone 20 picks previously to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The next best thing is some secondary help to put the ball back in the hands of Tom Brady and Co. … Brandon Taylor, S, LSU.

28. Green Bay Packers: The Packers look at one of the conference’s newest members for the 28th overall pick. This player, under the tutelage of Charles Woodson, could help a unit near the bottom of the league in pass defense … Coryell Judie, CB, Texas A&M

29. Baltimore Ravens: Running the football has worked for the Baltimore Ravens. Jamal Lewis, Willis McGahee and Ray Rice have perfected the low-risk, high-reward offense that has become the franchise’s staple since 2001. Throw this guy into the mix with those other powerful shape-shifters … Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee.

30. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers make their money on defense, not offense, and should draft accordingly. With most of the SEC’s top defensive talent off the board, San Francisco looks at the best available option: the kicking game. Any team led by Alex Smith under center is sure to punt a few times a game, so why not make those kicks extra lethal … Drew Butler, P, Georgia.

31. New England Patriots: Former Florida All-American Brandon Spikes has become the leader of New England’s defense and numbers wise, there’s a player still waiting to be picked who is just as special. This year’s SEC-tackles leader slips because of his stature, not because of his performance … Danny Trevathan, LB, Kentucky,

32. New York Giants: The SEC’s last-remaining first-round pick gives Eli Manning a target across the middle twice as athletic as incumbents Jake Ballard Bear Pascoe … Deangelo Peterson, TE, LSU.

Mr. Irrelevant: Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina. He “walked-on” Tampa’s practice squad after the draft and is rumored to be in a battle with Josh Freeman for the starting spot. The hot-button topic going into fall camp is this for new coach Greg Schiano: How many turnovers should I expect from each quarterback?

Who would be your top SEC picks in the NFL Draft?

Claiborne, the Jim Thorpe award winner, doesn’t have much to prove as college football’s top-ranked cover guy with a 4.45 time in the 40-yard dash. Like his teammates, he’ll be interviewed by scouts and perform individual workouts inside the dome.

His service won’t be available for long on draft day in April. The Minnesota Vikings at No. 3 need major help in a secondary ranked last in interceptions last season (8) and first for percentage of passes that went for first downs (39 percent).

After Claiborne, Brockers will be the next LSU product to go on Day 1, considered by many as the draft’s second-best defensive tackle. Brockers is a man-child at 6-foot-5, 300 pounds and has a chance to showcase that strength during individual workouts.

Quarterback Jordan Jefferson, tight end Deangelo Peterson, wideout Rueben Randle, tailback Ryan Baker, corner Ron Brooks and safety Brandon Taylor will join Claiborne and Brockers in Indianapolis. Jefferson has made recent headlines with comments concerning LSU’s game plan on offense against Alabama in New Orleans. We’ll see what the scouts in Indy have to say to a passer who has yet to prove he’s NFL ready.

Jefferson will probably fall into the group of SEC quarterbacks who may sign post-draft via free agency. Florida’s John Brantley, South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia, Tennessee’s Matt Simms, LSU’s Jarrett Lee and Auburn’s Barrett Trotter are included in this list.

Randle, like Claiborne, has a chance to be a star and make an early impact at the next level. At 6-foot-3, Randle has great size to be a formidable target on the outside for a pass-happy offense. He’s an above-average blocker with reliable hands. Most analysts project Randle to be a mid to late second-round pick.

The best news for the Tigers concerning the NFL Draft? Tyrann Mathieu isn’t eligible.

Richardson will be a Day 2 arrival in Indy, arriving the the 23rd and leaving the 26th. His schedule, like other running back, wide receiver and quarterback invitees, includes the following: medical examination, psychological testing, media interviews, NFLPA meeting and individual workouts.

Joining Upshaw and Richardson as potential first-round picks are cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, safety Mark Barron and linebacker Donta Hightower. Kirkpatrick (6-foot-2, 192) is ranked by most analysts as the field’s second-best corner after LSU’s Morris Claiborne. Barron and South Carolina’s Antonio Allen are considered the draft’s best strong safeties.

Defensive tackle Josh Chapman, cornerback Quan Menzie and wide receivers Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze will join their Crimson Tide teammates as each try and improve their draft stock.

Alabama leads the SEC with nine combine invites, followed by LSU and Georgia with eight.

Last July, Les Miles was asked whether or not the 2011 Tigers were capable of making another trip to New Orleans in January. Miles told his audience that “The want for this team to qualify to travel down there in a bus and again play in the national championship game is the goal; it’s what it should be. It’s who we are. Let’s see if we can establish that legacy. When they play it in New Orleans, we’re coming.”

Apparently that “want” way back in July was pretty powerful. It propelled LSU through an unbeaten season and had the Tigers hopping on another BCS championship bound bus to New Orleans this week. Wednesday’s ride also cemented LSU’s legacy of playing for BCS championships in New Orleans. Three of four championship games in the Crescent City have involved the Tigers.

This time will prove to be the most difficult. LSU won’t be facing an easy out from the Big What-Ever conferences. They will be facing one of the most dominant defenses and running backs to ever don the crimson and white… Alabama. Fortunately, LSU has already seen this beast and tamed it in its own den.

The first “Game of the Century” was labeled many things: Ferocious. Unrelenting. Breakneck. Apocalyptic. Magnificent. Awesome.

This time…it will be greater, even more epic.

Both teams have had weeks to prepare. Both coaches have drilled their teams to the point that the game plan haunts their dreams. There is only one task at hand…to do whatever it takes and leave it all on the field for victory. The only hurdle being that each team must beat the best, and in 2011, LSU and Alabama are the clearly the best.

In a game where preparation will be paramount, it will ultimately come down to which coach did a better job over the past few weeks. This is where the myth of Saban as some savant when it comes to bowl prep meets reality. Saban is 7-6 in bowl games and his teams have been outscored 27.7 to 29.1. Miles on the other hand is 6-3 in bowl games and his teams have outscored their opponents 31.4 to 19.3. Miles has clearly shone brighter in this department.

The time off has also put a few more weapons back into Miles arsenal. Some that weren’t available in November. Center PJ Lonergan will be back. Lonergan is one of LSU’s best run blockers and when paired with guard, Will Blackwell, the duo becomes a ferocious hole making machine. The pair combined for over 170 pancake blocks this season. This is good news for tailbacks Spencer Ware and Kenny Hilliard. Both figure to benefit from improved blocking up the middle, especially with 280lb fullback, JC Copeland, charging through the gap like a bull on parade. Unlike November, LSU should be able to make some daylight in the middle of Bama’s run defense; especially if Bama has to spread it out to contain the option (LSU had over 100 rushing yards off of option plays in November).

Kenny Hilliard is also an intriguing addition to the game plan this time around. In November, the freshman was not fully battle tested. After a fantastic finish in 2011, Hilliard should have a prominent role in Monday’s game. The 240lb load from Patterson, LA has proven that he can protect the ball whether he is pounding the middle or catching the ball out of the backfield. The 1-2 punch of he and Ware could prove to be too much for the middle of Bama’s defense over the course of four quarters, especially when speedsters like Ford and Blue start taking the ball off tackle or a pitch from Jefferson on the option.

Speaking of Jefferson, the embattled QB is living, breathing, proof of Miles’ ability to coach his team up for big games. The typically frustrating signal caller becomes a veritable war daddy in big games. As it relates to this game, Jefferson is 2-1 in bowl games and 2-1 against Bama. In both losses, Jefferson had his team in a position to win at the end. Jefferson finds a spark in big game situations; it should be fun to watch what happens in the biggest game of his life. Helping to keep that spark going will be a receiving corps that virtually disappeared in the November tilt. It will be imperative that Reuben Randle makes an impact in this game. For that to happen, Jefferson needs to be successful in finding Shepard, Beckham, and TE, Peterson, in the short passing games. Shepard and Beckham are sneaky good in the open field against safeties and backers and Peterson is a mismatch against any linebacker. LSU must exploit this to get its primary receiving weapon in single coverage down field. If this happens, Bama could be in big trouble.

That trouble comes from the other side of the line. A line that will now have a healthy Ken Adams back to help against the run. Which will be needed as Trent Richardson and a healthy Eddie Lacey should see more carries this go around and a big presence like Adams will be needed. This is where Bama can generate its best shot at putting points on the board. AJ McCarron and the Alabama passing game are not going to beat LSU. LSU’s secondary is a force that allows Chavis to use Mathieu to frustrate a QB while Morris Claiborne blankets a whole half of a field. This allows guys like Keke Mingo and Sam Montgomery to create havoc for the opposition. However, LSU’s front seven is fast not big. They are built to attack the quarterback and stop the run by committee. Sending the Bama O-line and Trent Richardson full bore into the heart of LSU’s defense 40 to 50 times is where the Tides best prospects lay. This physical barrage would allow the Tide to have an effect on the LSU two-deep. That is the one thing that hasn’t happened to the Tigers yet this season. Get tired on defense. Tiring the Tigers out could allow Richardson to do some damage on a wheel route or create some openings in the middle if the LSU linebackers start to cheat up against the run.

Yet that probably won’t happen. LSU has beaten the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl Champs, Oregon and West Virginia. Both are teams built on wearing out opponents. Neither winded LSU, and Bama couldn’t do it the first time. This time won’t be any different. This game will be just as physical. Both teams will have fewer mistakes. LSU will be fortunate enough to have more weapons at its disposal this time. That and the crowd advantage in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. I will be happy to put money down that 40,000 LSU fans in a dome will be just as loud as 93,000 in Death Valley or 102,000 in Bryant-Denney.

This is a battle between the two best teams in the country. While it will be close, I’m confident the LSU Tigers will have what it takes to bring home the victory.

Here are the award winners from last night:

Tyrann Mathieu, LSU – Chuck Bednarik Award for best defensive player in college football

Morris Claiborne, LSU – Jim Thorpe Award given to the best defensive back in college football

Trent Richardson, Alabama – Doak Walker Award given to the nation’s best running back

Barrett Jones, Alabama – Outland Trophy given to the nation’s best interior lineman

Les Miles, LSU – The Home Depot Coach of the Year

John Chavis, LSU – Frank Broyles Award given to the nation’s top assistant coach

Alabama Crimson Tide – Disney Spirit Award given to the most inspirational team or player as the symbol of hope for Tuscaloosa after the tornadoes devastated so many in that town.

Georgia’s Run Defense vs. LSU’s Rushing Offense

Georgia boasts the third best rushing defense in the conference, only giving up 94.8 rushing yards per game. LSU, as we all know, is bull-headed with a game plan that comes as no surprise, and they will run the football 75 percent of the time…maybe more. With the combination of Spencer Ware, Michael Ford, Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue, this LSU rushing attack is quite a monster. Factor in Jordan Jefferson running the option, this Georgia defense will play man coverage and load the box, and the Bulldogs will make Jefferson beat them through the air. This is the biggest matchup of the football game, right here.

This leads into the next key to look for:

Can Georgia Stay Physical For Four Quarters?

With LSU’s rushing attack mentioned above, the Tigers just physically make you say ‘Uncle’ sometime around the third quarter. It is no mystery; LSU will run right at you hoping to wear you down by the fourth quarter to physically impose their will on you late in the football game. They run the ball when you know it’s coming, and thus far, few teams have been able to stop it. The Tigers just kill your will because they just pound the rock until you throw in the towel. Georgia has a strong cast of front seven, either in the 3-4 or 4-3, and they have shown the ability to stop the run for the majority of the season. But they haven’t seen a rushing attack like this, and can the Bulldogs put a stop to it for four quarters? That’s the question.

Special Teams

Special teams will be fun to watch this weekend. First, you have Georgia’s kicker, Blair Walsh, who has struggled mightily throughout this season. He will have to be key because Georgia will need as many points as they can possibly get against a defense like LSU. This game features two punters – LSU’s Brad Wing and Georgia’s Drew Butler – as two of the best in the country. And of course, the punt and kick returners will be dynamite. LSU’s Tryann Mathieu (punt returner) and Morris Claiborne (kick returner) have both had monster, clutch returns at different points during this season. Georgia’s Brandon Boykin (kick returner) is one of the fastest players in the country as well returning kicks, and punt returner Branden Smith is electric with the ball in his hands as well. This should be fun to watch special teams, and momentum can absolutely shift very quickly with these four guys fielding the kick off or punt.

Turnovers

LSU (+15) and Georgia (+10) are sitting atop the SEC in turnover margin, and it’s no coincidence that these two teams are in the SEC Championship. Much like the LSU-Alabama matchup, turnovers played a big significance in the outcome. That will obviously be the case in this football game as well. These are very opportunistic defenses that will take advantage of turnovers. The team that protects the football better this weekend will be the winner…as is the case in most big games.

Aaron Murray vs. LSU Secondary

This LSU secondary is downright scary talented. From the Honey Badger to who I think is the most talented corner in the country in Morris Claiborne, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray will have his hands full. While LSU’s defense will get after Murray, wide receivers Malcolm Mitchell, Tavarres King and Michael Bennett and tight end Orson Charles will have to get open. Let’s remember, West Virginia threw for nearly 500 yards on this LSU defense, but they could not run the football. In order for Aaron Murray to be effective, Georgia will have to run the football with Isaiah Crowell in order for Murray to become that much more effective. It’s called balance, and it will be tough to achieve tomorrow. Murray has thrown an SEC-leading 32 touchdowns on the season, and he is playing lights out right now.

It should be fun, and these defenses will be ready to go. I assure you.