Best SEC teams of the last decade: No. 3 (’10 Auburn)

Editor’s note: SDS is ranking the 10 best SEC teams of the last decade (since 2005). Previously revealed:

• No. 10 LSU (2007)
• No. 9 Alabama (2008)
• No. 8 LSU (2011)
• No. 7 Florida (2009)
• No. 6 Alabama (2012)
• No. 5 Florida (2006)
• No. 4 Alabama (2011)
  

3.) 2010 AUBURN (14-0, BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS)

Auburn’s second national championship-winning season was made possible by a transfer JUCO quarterback who went on to win the Heisman and be drafted No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers. Of course, we’re talking about Cam Newton, the dual-threat playmaker that Gene Chizik hand-picked to lead the Tigers who battled through the late-season NCAA microscope to dominate on the field.

Auburn led the SEC in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense, pass efficiency, first downs and first down conversions on its way to a perfect regular season. Newton became the first SEC player ever to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season before Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel eclipsed the feat.

All-American pass rusher Nick Fairley led the Tigers defensively, earning the league’s defensive player of the year honor and the Lombardi Trophy after setting new single-season program records with 24 tackles-for-losses and 11.5 sacks. He was drafted seventh overall by the Detroit Lions.

After finishing off SOuth Carolina int he most lopsided SEC Championship Game in history, the Tigers held off Oregon in the BCS title game thanks to Michael Dyer’s magical run late that setup the Wes Byrum’s 19-yard chip shot as time expired. Dyer, a five-star true freshman, broke the school record for most rushing yards in a season by a rookie with 1,093. His career on the Plains was short-lived after he was suspended indefinitely the following season leading to a transfer.

Best offensive players: QB Cam Newton
Best defensive players: DL Nick Fairley
Best wins: Known as the ‘Camback’, the Tigers erased a 24-point deficit in the Iron Bowl at Alabama to keep their unbeaten season alive, downing the Crimson Tide, 28-27 in an instant classic.
Defining moment: Newton’s career-high six touchdown effort in a win over South Carolina in his hometown of Atlanta. Newton kick-started his Heisman campaign with a win over the Gamecocks in late-September at Jordan-Hare and ended it with the perfect exclamation point.

AUBURN’S 2010 SCHEDULE