Here is a look at some of the SEC’s top performing position units in Week 12:
QUARTERBACKS — Arkansas and Mississippi State: Both Razorbacks QB Brandon Allen and Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott had top-notch performances during Saturday’s 51-50 thriller, making it almost impossible to assign a winner to this position. We decided we couldn’t choose, so both teams get the nod. Allen had seven touchdown, which was just the second time an SEC quarterback has thrown that many TD passes in a conference game in league history. Somehow, that performance was bested by Prescott, who accounted for seven touchdowns of his own (five passing, two rushing) and he threw for 508 yards.
RUNNING BACKS — Kentucky: The Wildcats broke a five-game losing streak thanks in large part to the effort of their running backs in Week 12’s win against Charlotte. Kentucky totaled 415 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns on the day, with most of the damage coming from running backs Jojo Kemp (165 yards, three touchdowns) and Stanley “Boom” Williams (140 yards, two touchdowns).
WIDE RECEIVERS — Mississippi State: Someone had to step up to catch Dak Prescott’s 38 completions during a 51-50 win at Arkansas, and the Bulldogs receivers were up to the task. Both Fred Ross and De’Runnya Wilson caught 10 passes each, with Ross totaling 154 yards and two touchdowns while Wilson had 93 and a touchdown. Fred Brown had four catches for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Gabe Myles had three catches for 69 yards.
OFFENSIVE LINE — Tennessee: Battling through injuries, the Vols offensive line stepped up against Missouri’s stout defensive front in a 19-8 road victory. Tennessee was able to run the ball for 4.9 yards per carry on 51 attempts, and the Vols did not allow the elite Missouri pass rush to earn a sack on any of their 24 pass attempts. It wasn’t a perfect performance with 10 tackles for loss allowed, but it was one of the grittier efforts in the league this week.
DEFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: Remember when Nick Saban was making all of that noise in the days leading up to the game about his team’s troubles defending the option in the past? That wasn’t the case this week, as the Crimson Tide shut down Charleston Southern’s option attack to the tune of 85 yards on 36 carries.
LINEBACKERS — Ole Miss: Playing without Denzel Nkemdiche, DeMarquis Gates enjoyed a fantastic game against LSU. The sophomore led the team with 14 tackles. Senior middle linebacker C.J. Johnson had seven tackles, one for loss and a forced fumble during the 38-17 win against the Tigers. Leonard Fournette was contained for most of the game due to the efforts of this unit.
DEFENSIVE BACKS — Texas A&M: Vanderbilt isn’t exactly a passing juggernaut, but anytime a team is able to hold a conference opponent to just 23 yards through the air, it is worth some praise. The Commodores completed just five of 16 pass attempts, and De’Vante Harris recorded an interception in the shutout. Safety Justin Evans led the Aggies with 10 tackles and fellow safety Armani Watts followed with nine tackles (one for loss).
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
