LSU Tigers: Tim Tebow
In honor of Florida Gulf Coast's stunning run in the NCAA basketball tournament, I started thinking back to some of the biggest SEC football upsets of my lifetime.
The mid- to late-1970s is about as far back as I go, but I’ve gone back and picked out some of the more memorable ones over the past 30 or 35 years.
These are all SEC vs. SEC matchups, and I’ll rank the top 5 as well as five more that just missed the cut. I’ll come back later Thursday with a few more, including some upsets in non-conference and bowl games.
Here goes:
1. Mississippi State 6, Alabama 3 (1980): The No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide had won 28 straight (and an SEC-record 27 straight conference games) and were heavily favored against the unranked Bulldogs. But Mississippi State played suffocating defense that day in Jackson, Miss., and snuffed out a late Alabama drive. The Crimson Tide had moved to the Bulldogs’ 4, but were out of timeouts. Alabama quarterback Don Jacobs took the snap and started down the line of scrimmage to the right side. Mississippi State’s Tyrone Keys shot through and tackled Jacobs, forcing a fumble that Billy Jackson recovered to seal one of the greatest wins in Mississippi State history. Alabama’s wishbone attack, which had been averaging more than 300 yards per game, mustered just 116 rushing yards against the Mississippi State defense. The Crimson Tide lost four fumbles in the game. And in a classy gesture afterward, Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant visited the Mississippi State locker room to congratulate the Bulldogs on the win.
The mid- to late-1970s is about as far back as I go, but I’ve gone back and picked out some of the more memorable ones over the past 30 or 35 years.
These are all SEC vs. SEC matchups, and I’ll rank the top 5 as well as five more that just missed the cut. I’ll come back later Thursday with a few more, including some upsets in non-conference and bowl games.
Here goes:
1. Mississippi State 6, Alabama 3 (1980): The No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide had won 28 straight (and an SEC-record 27 straight conference games) and were heavily favored against the unranked Bulldogs. But Mississippi State played suffocating defense that day in Jackson, Miss., and snuffed out a late Alabama drive. The Crimson Tide had moved to the Bulldogs’ 4, but were out of timeouts. Alabama quarterback Don Jacobs took the snap and started down the line of scrimmage to the right side. Mississippi State’s Tyrone Keys shot through and tackled Jacobs, forcing a fumble that Billy Jackson recovered to seal one of the greatest wins in Mississippi State history. Alabama’s wishbone attack, which had been averaging more than 300 yards per game, mustered just 116 rushing yards against the Mississippi State defense. The Crimson Tide lost four fumbles in the game. And in a classy gesture afterward, Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant visited the Mississippi State locker room to congratulate the Bulldogs on the win.
Notes: Sanders not anonymous with LSU 
October, 10, 2012
10/10/12
8:00
AM ET
By
Gary Laney | ESPN.com
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Ace Sanders said he can walk to classes at the University of South Carolina without ever getting asked about his football accomplishments because, at 5-foot-8, 175 pounds, nobody thinks he's actually a football player.
"I'm able to keep a level of anonymity," he said.
He's quickly making a name for himself as one of the SEC's most dangerous punt returners, averaging 15.5 yards a return, fifth best in the nation. He's a major topic conversation this week coming off his electrifying 70-yard touchdown return in last week's 35-7 rout of Georgia.
"I'm able to keep a level of anonymity," he said.
He's quickly making a name for himself as one of the SEC's most dangerous punt returners, averaging 15.5 yards a return, fifth best in the nation. He's a major topic conversation this week coming off his electrifying 70-yard touchdown return in last week's 35-7 rout of Georgia.
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With LSU heading to Gainesville this weekend to play Florida, we caught up with Mike DiRocco of GatorNation to check in on the 4-0, 10th-ranked Gators
Q: Does Florida get enough out of Jeff Driskel to win against the better teams it will face in the SEC?
Despite being a sophomore who rarely played last season, Driskel has been surprisingly efficient: He doesn’t turn the ball over, he’s accurate with his throws, and he’s been able to check the Gators into the correct runs when he gets to the line of scrimmage and sees the defense.
Q: Does Florida get enough out of Jeff Driskel to win against the better teams it will face in the SEC?
Despite being a sophomore who rarely played last season, Driskel has been surprisingly efficient: He doesn’t turn the ball over, he’s accurate with his throws, and he’s been able to check the Gators into the correct runs when he gets to the line of scrimmage and sees the defense.
BATON ROUGE, La. -- A bit of perspective for anyone stressing Zach Mettenberger's so-so start to 2012: Turn the calendar back one year.
Although he spent part of the first half on the sideline with a shoulder bruise and had troubles at time getting into a rhythm with his receivers, all one has to do is review the 2011 season to be a bit more forgiving of Mettenberger's 17-of-26 debut, totaling 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Compared to the Tigers' two-headed combo of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson last fall, Mettenberger just threw the third-highest number of completions for an LSU quarterback in the last 15 games. His 26 completions are also the third-highest in the last calendar year -- behind Lee's 28 attempts against West Virginia and Jefferson's 29 against Arkansas.
Although he spent part of the first half on the sideline with a shoulder bruise and had troubles at time getting into a rhythm with his receivers, all one has to do is review the 2011 season to be a bit more forgiving of Mettenberger's 17-of-26 debut, totaling 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Compared to the Tigers' two-headed combo of Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson last fall, Mettenberger just threw the third-highest number of completions for an LSU quarterback in the last 15 games. His 26 completions are also the third-highest in the last calendar year -- behind Lee's 28 attempts against West Virginia and Jefferson's 29 against Arkansas.
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The No. 7 is missing from the LSU roster.
It was left vacant by the untimely departure of Tyrann Mathieu from LSU's team for violation of the school's substance abuse policy. Nobody else has claimed it, so even on a team with 120 players, nobody will wear what's supposed to be a lucky number.
It still will play a role when the Tigers and Eagles play. The most relevant numbers associated with the game all involve lucky No. 7:
It was left vacant by the untimely departure of Tyrann Mathieu from LSU's team for violation of the school's substance abuse policy. Nobody else has claimed it, so even on a team with 120 players, nobody will wear what's supposed to be a lucky number.
It still will play a role when the Tigers and Eagles play. The most relevant numbers associated with the game all involve lucky No. 7:
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ABOUT GEAUX TIGER NATION
Gary Laney
Gary Laney joined ESPN.com in 2012 after spending a year and a half as online sports editor of the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate. Before that, he covered LSU sports for the Advocate. He has also been the sports editor at the Beaumont (Texas) Enterprise and covered McNeese State athletics for the Lake Charles (La.) American Press. Laney currently lives in Baton Rouge. Email him at glaneyespn@gmail.com