Fansided

SEC Championship Game: 5 most important players

By John Buhler

Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) celebrates after a win against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) celebrates after a win against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 10-0. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Hurts is in a weird spot on Saturday, in all honesty. He’s maybe the only player that can really win or lose the game for Alabama. If he plays well, Alabama wins easily over Florida. Should Hurts waggle a bit at the quarterback position, he’d be the scapegoat for an Alabama loss if the special teams don’t mess up.

Florida won’t be the first upper echelon defense that Hurts will go up against. He destroyed a strong USC Trojans team, admittedly before they found themselves under head coach Clay Helton. The LSU Tigers and the Auburn Tigers are stout defensively, too.

This game is massive for Hurts in terms of national recognition. His stats won’t count towards the 2016 Heisman Trophy, but if he plays like he has against Mississippi State and Auburn, Hurts will be at the ceremony in New York in a few days.

Look for Hurts to do what he does and make plays with his legs and execute well-timed passes in this high-octane Alabama offense. If Alabama is going to blow out Florida, much of that falls on Hurts’ young shoulders. Will he be up for the challenge?

Home/College Football