2006 SEC Surprises, Disappointments & MVPs

2006 SEC Surprises, Disappointments, Bests Games, Coaches & MVPs

CFN 2006 All-SEC Team and Top 30 Players
 
Coach of the Year – Urban Meyer, Florida
How many teams could get little from the running game, a slightly disappointing season from the star quarterback, not enough of a pass rush from the NFL defensive front, play the toughest schedule in America, and still get to the national championship? His handling of the Tim Tebow situation, and his steady hand throughout the tough slate, were masterful.

Worst Coaching Job of the Year – Mike Shula, Alabama
Shula wasn't bad, but he gets the nod here by default since there weren't any big-time SEC coaching issues this year. Shula's offense never got the running game going while the defense wasn't anywhere near the killer it was in 2005. Even though this was supposed to be a rebuilding year, Shula and his staff didn't do much to improve the situation. The best win was over Hawaii to start the season and there weren't any other victories of note.

Best Performance of the Season - Florida DE Jarvis Moss made eight tackles, broke up a pass and blocked two kicks in the 17-16 win over South Carolina.

Top Freshman – Florida WR Percy Harvin
Florida fans might be jacked up about playing for the national title this year, but they're positively salivating over the idea of Tim Tebow throwing to Percy Harvin for the next few seasons. When healthy, Harvin showed he's one of rising superstars in the game highlighted by a 105-rushing-yard, one touchdown, 62-receiving-yard, one touchdown day against Arkansas in the SEC Championship.

Most Disappointing Player – Auburn RB Kenny Irons
After starting out the season ripping up Washington State for 183 yards and a score, he was never quite right the rest of the way after suffering a variety of injuries. He only finished with 821 yards and four touchdowns and was rarely a difference maker.

Biggest Surprise – Arkansas  
Kentucky is a close second. Everyone knew Arkansas was going to run the ball, and the schedule was decent enough to hope for a big year, but who could've guess the Hogs were going to win the SEC West and be talked about as a national title contender late into November? Now the program needs steadier play from the quarterbacks and has to deal with sky-high expectations going into 2007.

Biggest Disappointment – Auburn's offense
Everything was supposed to be in place for the Tiger attack to explode with Heisman-caliber RB Kenny Irons, second-year starting QB Brandon Cox, a solid offensive line, and good number one target in Courtney Taylor. The offense rarely moved the ball consistently against a defense with a pulse, finished ninth in the SEC in total offense and got next to nothing out of the passing game, considering the talent, averaging just 178 yards per game

Best Game of the SEC Season 
Arkansas 24 ... Alabama 23 2OT
Arkansas got an 11-yard Ben Cleveland touchdown catch in the second overtime, and won on the Jeremy Davis extra point. Alabama scored on a one-yard touchdown run on its possession in the second overtime, but Leigh Tiffin missed the extra point on his fourth wide-right miss of the game. Alabama had a chance to win in the first overtime following an interception of Arkansas QB Mitch Mustain, but Tiffin missed from 37 yards out. Tiffin was able to connect on a 46-yard field goal on the last play of the first half for a 10-7 lead, but Arkansas took the lead in the third quarter on a three-yard Darren McFadden touchdown run and a 39-yard fumble recovery for a score from Randy Kelly. Alabama answered with two of John Parker Wilson's three touchdown passes. Wilson also connected with D.J. Hall on a 78-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Second Best Game – LSU 28 ... Tennessee 24, Nov. 4
Third Best Game – Auburn 7 ... LSU 3, Sept. 16

Worst Game of the SEC Season 
LSU 49 ... Kentucky 0
LSU rolled over Kentucky with 278 passing yards and 268 on the ground with JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn each throwing two touchdown passes and Jacob Hester running for two first half scores. Russell connected with Dwayne Bowe on first half scoring passes from seven and 48 yards out on the way to a 28-0 first half lead, and then Bowe caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Matt Flynn in the third. Kentucky only gained 227 yards of total offense.

Team MVPs   
East 
Florida – QB Chris Leak, S Reggie Nelson
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 10-2, final regular season record: 12-1

Georgia – OT Daniel Inman, DE Charles Johnson
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 9-3, final regular season record: 8-4

Kentucky – QB Andre Woodson, LB Wesley Woodyard
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 4-8, final regular season record: 7-5

South Carolina – WR Sidney Rice, LB Jasper Brinkley
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 6-6, final regular season record: 7-5

Tennessee – WR Robert Meachem, S Jonathan Hefney
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 9-3 final regular season record: 9-3

Vanderbilt – QB Chris Nickson, LB Jonathan Goff
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 2-10, final regular season record: 4-8

West
Alabama – WR D.J. Hall, CB Simeon Castille
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 7-5, final regular season record: 6-6

Arkansas – RB Darren McFadden, LB Sam Olajubutu
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 9-3, final regular season record: 10-3

Auburn – RB Kenny Irons, DE Quentin Groves
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 11-1, final regular season record: 10-2

LSU – QB JaMarcus Russell, DT Glenn Dorsey
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 10-2, final regular season record: 10-2

Ole Miss – RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, LB Patrick Willis
predicted wins: Northwestern State, Mississippi State
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 6-6, final regular season record: 4-8

Mississippi State – RB Anthony Dixon, LB Quinton Culberson
CFN Preview 2006 predicted record: 4-8, final regular season record: 3-9

CFN 2006 All-SEC Team and Top 30 Players