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SEC Football: Game Balls, Top Performers from Week Six

By Justin Melton

Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown during the second overtime against the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown during the second overtime against the Tennessee Volunteers at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeated the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) intercepts the ball intended for Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) intercepts the ball intended for Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Jared Cornelius (1) during the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama

Alabama’s secondary struggled a bit against the Arkansas Razorbacks. They allowed Hog quarterback Austin Allen to throw for 400 yards. That’s a bad day no matter how you slice it. The lone bright spot in the defensive backfield was sophomore corner Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick had a banner day, reeling in three interceptions. He almost had a fourth one but couldn’t quite haul it in. On his third interception, Fitzpatrick took the ball from deep in his own end zone and ran it all the way back for a game-clinching pick-six.

Fitzpatrick is a key cog in the Alabama secondary. He plays as the number two corner opposite Marlon Humphrey. Also, in nickel and dime sets, Fitzpatrick slides into the slot corner, or “star,” position, at which he excelled a season ago as a true freshman. Fitzpatrick is a ballhawk with excellent man-coverage skills. He should only get better.

Honorable Mentions:

Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) throws the ball under pressure from Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) in the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) throws the ball under pressure from Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) in the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /

Carl Lawson arrived at Auburn a few years ago with a lot of hype. He was supposed to be an elite pass-rusher that would terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Unfortunately, he has not really lived up to those lofty expectations, primarily due to injuries.

However, it looks like Lawson may finally be putting all the pieces together. Last week against ULM he got two sacks. This week, he added two more. His first sack resulted in a fumble, which was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Montravious Adams. If Lawson can keep playing at a high level, this could easily be the best Tiger defense since 2010.

Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M

Armani Watts has made this list before, taking home a Game Ball last time. He didn’t quite pull it off this week, but he still had an exceptional game. And, more importantly, played a vital role in helping his team get a victory.

Watts was second on the team with nine tackles this week. Six of them were solo. Also, he had a pass defended. Finally, Watts was the man who intercepted Josh Dobbs in overtime to win the game for the Aggies. I’m sure that will be a moment he will always remember and cherish.

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