The Georgia and Alabama showdown was the story of week five. Somehow it exceeded expectations becoming an instant classic and the game of the year. The conference had other great games led by some of these SEC game-changers. Out of the six scheduled games, four of them were one-score battles with plenty of implications moving forward.
Offensive Game Changers
Jalen Milroe QB / Ryan Williams WR, Alabama
The first half of the game was all Jalen Milroe. He led Alabama to touchdowns on their first four drives giving them a 28-0 lead. He threw for one, ran for two, and looked electric doing so. But Georgia had a massive second-half comeback and took the lead by one late in the fourth. First play of the next drive, Milroe dropped a dime to freshman wide-receiver Ryan Williams who spun around two defenders for an incredible 75-yard touchdown to give Alabama the lead back. As of now, it’s the play of the year. And at 17, Williams might already be the best receiver in the country.
Arch Manning QB, Texas
Mississippi State is not a good team. But Arch Manning was still only making his second career start. The game was too close for too long but Texas pulled away on Arch’s shoulders. Coach Steve Sarkisian talked about wanting Manning to improve his completion percentage this past week. The young Texas quarterback finished 26 for 31 so he can check off that box. He also threw two touchdowns and no interceptions. Even more impressive was his running ability. He showed off some athleticism for the first time with 33 yards on the ground plus a rushing touchdown.
Defensive Game Changers
Kip Lewis LB, Oklahoma
Going into the 4th quarter, one would have thought Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne was an offensive game-changer with his three touchdowns. Then with four minutes left and a 21-16 lead, Thornton made an inexplicable decision and throw that was intercepted by Kip Lewis. He scampered 65 yards for a touchdown giving the Sooners a 24-21 lead for good after the two-point conversion. Lewis also chipped in five tackles, one of them for a loss, but nothing tops his game-changing pick.
Defense, Kentucky
Someone deserves credit for Kentucky’s massive upset of sixth-ranked Ole Miss and it’s got to be the defense. After limiting Georgia to 13 points two weeks ago, Kentucky held an Ole Miss offense that was averaging 55 points per game to only 17. The Wildcats’ offense chipped in by dominating time of possession by almost 20 minutes. But the defense wouldn’t let Ole Miss sustain a drive. They forced six punts and held the Rebels to one for 10 on third downs for the game.
Negative Game Changer
Taylen Green QB, Arkansas
After the first half of the Georgia and Alabama games, this distinction was going to Carson Beck. But after leading that improbable second-half comeback, that wouldn’t be fair. Enter Taylen Green. He completed 23 of 41 passes for 279 yards which seems fine until you realize one of his passes was 75 yards. Green had an interception and fumbled the ball three times, losing it twice, once in the biggest moment of the game. The Aggies also completely shut down his rushing ability, holding him to six yards on 13 carries. His long run was 24 yards, meaning on the other 12 carries he rushed for negative 18 yards.
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