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Led by several of their top players throughout the regular season, SEC teams went 8-2 in this season’s bowl games. Alabama could cap a bountiful bowl season for the conference with a ninth victory and a national championship.
Here’s a list of top 10 individual performances that helped the SEC compile the best bowl record among the Power 5 conferences:
10. DT MONTRAVIUS ADAMS, AUBURN
Stats: 2 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss; 0.5 sacks
Impact: The 6-foot-4, 296-pound junior destroyed the Memphis offensive line, opening up tackling and pass rushing routes for Auburn defenders in the Birmingham Bowl. Harassed by Adams and other Auburn defenders Memphis star QB Paxton Lynch threw for only 108 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
9. WR CALVIN RIDLEY, ALABAMA
Stats: 8 catches for 138 yards and 2 TDs
Impact: The standout freshman set up the Cotton Bowl’s first TD with a great downfield grab while tightly defended and made an excellent effort to fight off a defender and stay inbounds on a later TD catch. With eight catches, he provided QB Jacob Coker with a dependable target.
8. WR LAQUON TREADWELL, OLE MISS
Stats: 6 catches for 71 yards and 3 TDs; 1 of 1 passing for 45 yards
Impact: In probably his final college game at the Sugar Bowl, Treadwell caught three TD passes and set up another with a 45-yard pass. Treadwell caught two TD passes in the first half as the Rebels took a 24-3 at the break after Kelly’s pass to Laremy Tunsil for a TD on the final play of the first half.
7. QB CHAD KELLY, OLE MISS
Stats: 21 of 33 passing for 302 yards with 4 TDs and 1 interception; 10 carries for 73 yards, including a 43-yard run.
Impact: Kelly marched the Rebels up and down the field, throwing to Treadwell, Cody Core and TE Evan Engram. He also led the Rebels in rushing with 73 yards on 10 carries, including a 42-yard run.
6. CB CYRUS JONES, ALABAMA
Stats: 1 Interception with return of 21 yards, 3 tackles; 57-yard punt return TD
Impact: It was an all-around by the Crimson Tide defense to hold NFL-bound Michigan State QB Connor Cook to 210 yards on 19 of 39 passing with two interceptions. But Jones’ effort stood out. His interception stopped a Michigan State drive that had reached the Tide 12-yard-line and could have pulled the Spartans within three points at halftime.
5. RB ALEX COLLINS, ARKANSAS
Stats: 23 carries for 185 yards and 3 TD; 68-yard kickoff return
Impact: Collins teams with QB Brandon Allen to keep the Razorbacks moving down the field against Kansas State at the Liberty Bowl. Collins showed not only power up the middle but speed and elusiveness as well, especially on a 68-yard kickoff return that changed the momentum after Kansas State took a 10-7 lead.
4. RB LEONARD FOURNETTE, LSU
Stats: 29 carries for 212 yards and 4 TDs; 1 reception for 44 yards and a TD
Impact: Fournette showed what he could do if given room to run at the Texas Bowl. With Fournette busting through holes and breaking tackles, the Tigers were unstoppable for the porous Texas Tech defense. His highlights including brushing off a defensive lineman with a stiff arm on an 11-yard run and a 44-yard scamper with a short pass to give the Tigers a two-TD advantage.
3. QB BRANDON ALLEN, ARKANSAS
Stats: 20 for 26 passing for 315 yards with 1 TD and 1 interception
Impact: The senior finished off a fantastic senior with a strong performance. With Collins slashing through the defensive line, Allen kept Kansas State off balance with another precision passing day.
2. QB DAK PRESCOTT, MISSISSIPPI STATE
Stats: 25 of 42 passing with 4 TDs and 1 interception; 12 carries for 47 yards
Impact: OK, this could seem like a sentimental choice, singling out a senior who meant so much to his team. But Prescott finished his career in style, directing the Bulldogs to an easy Belk Bowl victory.
1. QB JACOB COKER, ALABAMA
Stats: 25 of 30 passing for 286 yards and 2 TDs
Impact: The senior proved he could be trusted to move the Tide through the air when an opponent controlled Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. Though the Spartans seemed focused on stopping Henry, Coker made several key completions by putting the ball where it needed to be for tightly covered receivers.
