Who will have the best individual performances of the 2015 season? That’s exactly what we’re going to try to measure with this weekly installment of the season’s top 10 individual performances.
Each week, we will move new standout games onto the list, making it progressively tougher to receive a mention.
Bonus points will be given to standout performances against tough opponents and outcome-altering plays, though huge individual performances of any kind will not be dismissed given the title of this list.
There may be alterations to the ranking of previous performances from week-to-week based on the perspective gained from the progression of the season.
By the end of the season, we should have compiled the season’s very best performances.
We’re sure to have disagreements along the way, so feel free to add your Top 10 list in the comments section each week for comparison.
Some of Week 8’s notable performances:
- Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns and ran for three more in a blowout win against Kentucky.
- Alabama RB Derrick Henry ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 28 rushing attempts against Tennessee.
- Auburn RB Peyton Barber scored four touchdowns and ran for 120 yards in four-overtime thriller against Arkansas.
- LSU RB Leonard Fournette turned in another 150-yard rushing performance against Western Kentucky. Ho hum.
- Texas A&M DB Armani Watts had 20 total tackles, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception against Ole Miss.
- Ole Miss WR Laquon Treadwell turned in another 100-yard receiving game and caught a touchdown pass against Texas A&M.
- Arkansas LB Dre Greenlaw totaled 16 tackles in an overtime win against Auburn.
But how many of those will make the big board?
After adjusting to include Week 8’s top performers, here is a look at the top 10 individual performances of the 2015 season:
1. RB Leonard Fournette, LSU vs. Auburn (Week 3)
The stat line: 19 carries for 228 yards and three rushing touchdowns, and one catch for nine yards in 45-21 win against No. 18 Auburn. Highlight-reel touchdown runs of 40 and 29 yards.
2. QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State vs. Kentucky (Week 8)
The stat line: 25 of 35 passing for 348 yards and three passing touchdowns. 13 rushes for 117 yards and three rushing touchdowns in 42-16 win against the Wildcats.
3. QB Greyson Lambert, Georgia vs. South Carolina (Week 3)
The stat line: 24 of 25 passing for 330 yards and three passing touchdowns, no interceptions. Also had two rushes for 10 yards in a 52-20 win against the Gamecocks.
4. QB Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee vs. Georgia (Week 6)
The stat line: 25 of 42 passing for 312 yards and three touchdowns. 18 rushes for 118 yards and two rushing touchdowns in 38-31 win against the Bulldogs.
5. RB Derrick Henry, Alabama at Texas A&M (Week 7)
The stat line: 32 carries for 236 yards and two rushing touchdowns in a 41-23 win against the Aggies at Kyle Field.
6. RB Leonard Fournette, LSU at Syracuse (Week 4)
The stat line: 26 carries for 244 yards and two rushing touchdowns, and one catch for seven yards in a win at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
7. LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee vs. Oklahoma (Week 2)
The stat line: 13 solo tackles, eight assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble in 31-24 double-overtime loss to Oklahoma.
8. RB Leonard Fournette, LSU vs. Florida (Week 7)
The stat line: 31 carries for 180 yards and two rushing touchdowns in a 35-28 win against Florida, which features one of the best rush defenses in the league. One catch for 15 yards.
9. WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (Week 4)
The stat line: 255 all-purpose yards in 28-21 win against Arkansas. As a wideout, he had eight catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.
10. S Armani Watts, Texas A&M at Ole Miss (Week 8)
The stat line: 16 solo tackles, four assisted tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and an interception in a loss to the Rebels.
Dropping out of the Top 10 this week:
QB Chad Kelly, Ole Miss at Alabama (Week 3)
The stat line: 18 of 33 for 341 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Also had eight rushes for 21 yards and a rushing touchdown in a 43-37 win against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
LB Kentrell Brothers, Missouri at Arkansas State (Week 2)
The stat line: 10 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions in 27-20 win at Arkansas State.
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.
