SEC Football: Power Ranking the Top 10 Plays of 2012

In a league filled with Johnny Manziel, Ace Sanders and thrilling victories, the SEC's plays of the year in 2012 were rich with quality.

It's almost a shame to limit the plays of the year to just 10 following so many great performances and amazing plays.

While Florida and Alabama had unbelievable game winners, Sanders rendered the nation speechless with his punt returns and Johnny Football proved himself to be the most electrifying man in college football.

But of all these wonderful plays, which turned out to be the best of the year?

Honorable Mention: Todd Gurley 100-Yard Kickoff Return

To say Todd Gurley burst on the scene with a bang really wouldn't do it justice.

In the first game of his collegiate career, Gurley showed off his speed and power (which SEC teams would later become too familiar with) in a 100-yard kickoff return.

Simply put, Buffalo never had a chance.

Gurley made a few cuts, found the edge, juked a man and showed great balance and strength as he marched into the end zone.

10. Arkansas' Johnson to Mitchell to Herndon

Everyone loves a good trick play, don't they?

Against Auburn, Arkansas decided to pull off the ol' double reverse pass, and it worked magnificently.

Tyler Wilson handed the ball off to Dennis Johnson, who pitched it to Brandon Mitchell. Mitchell then dropped back to pass and hit Javontee Herndon in stride for a touchdown.

You couldn't draw it up any better.

9. Jarvis Jones Interception Against Mizzou

Because of Sheldon Richardon's mouth, the Georgia/Mizzou matchup was heavily hyped.

Richardson called SEC football old-man football, and the Georgia players seemingly didn't take too kindly to Richardson's remarks.

Don't make Jarvis Jones angry. Bad things happen to good people. In the fourth quarter, Jones had a sack fumble that led to Georgia grabbing a 27-20 lead. And then, Jones continued to impact the game.

On the ensuing drive, Jones picked off James Franklin and took it to the one-yard line to eventually create a two-possession lead. Just like that, Jones turned in one of the best performances of the year.

8. Thomas Johnson's One-Handed Catch

You know it was a special year in the SEC when this catch comes in at No. 8 on the list.

In Texas A&M's first game of the year, Thomas Johnson made a sensational one-handed grab along the sideline.

With Florida Gators surrounding him, Johnson jumped up and snagged Manziel's pass out of the air.

Though the Aggies would eventually come up short, their performance and showcase of athleticism made a statement to the league.

7. TJ Yeldon Game-Winning Touchdown

Turn your heads, LSU fans.

It might not have been the most spectacular play of the season, but it was easily the most important for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

For if AJ McCarron's pass to T.J. Yeldon fell short of the first down or the end zone, the Tide would have dropped that game against LSU. So really, the screen pass not only won the game, but it saved the Tide's season.

Anything less than a touchdown could have resulted in a two-loss season, and Alabama would not be playing in the national championship in January.

6. Ace Sanders Punt Return vs. Georgia

Oh, Ace, nobody returns punts quite like you.

With his quick moves and unbelievable athleticism, Ace Sanders made a statement against Georgia on prime-time television.

If you didn't know not to kick to Sanders before his return against the Bulldogs, you certainly knew after.

Surprisingly, this was not Sanders best return of the year either.

5. Florida Punt Block Touchdown

Sure, it was needed to beat UL-Lafayette, but Florida's game-winning punt block touchdown was an amazing way to win a game.

Despite playing an absolutely atrocious game against a Sun Belt foe, the Gators did what all the great teams have done: found a way to win.

Loucheiz Purifoy blocked the punt and the ball fell right in the hands of Jelani Jenkins, who took it to the house.

Though it came against the Ragin' Cajuns, Florida's punt block touchdown was easily one of the most exciting plays of the year.

4. Ace Sanders Punt Return vs. Missouri

Let's all sit back and enjoy Sanders returning this punt.

Watched it yet? Call your friends into the room and share it with them as well. Showed them? Okay, watch it one more time?

Seriously, plays like this can be watched on repeat, because they are that exciting. How does Sanders shed so many tackles? How does he shake nearly the entire Missouri team? How does he hold on to the ball when he runs into his teammate and a Missouri player gets a clean look at a strip?

These questions don't have answers, but one thing's for certain: Sanders sure is fun to watch.

3. Jarvis Landry One-Handed Catch

You're not going to find many catches better than this.

Zach Mettenberger threw the ball near the back of the end zone, where seemingly no one could catch it.

Somehow, someway, Landry stretched himself enough to get one hand on the football and secured a sensational one-handed grab.

This is a play that will be on the highlight reels for quite some time.

2. Johnny Manziel's Bobble Touchdown Pass

This is the play that will likely be synonymous with Manziel's Heisman Trophy should he win it.

After all, this is the play that really put him on the map across the nation.

In a showcase game against the No. 1 team in the nation, Manziel led his team to victory with both his legs and his arm.

In this play, Manziel used both. After running into his lineman and bobbling the ball, Manziel regathered it, scrambled and threw a perfectly-placed strike on the run to Ryan Swope.

1. Johnny Manziel Beats 'Bama

The biggest play of the year in the SEC was the icing on the cake in the upset of the year.

In this play, Manziel proved that not only is he flashy and a great scrambler, but he has incredible accuracy and the clutch gene to go along with it.

With Alabama clawing its way back into the game, Manziel led a two-play drive down the field to give Texas A&M enough separation to pull off the upset.

Manziel's 24-yard pass to Malcome Kennedy was placed where only his man could catch it, and it was the final nail in the coffin for Alabama's undefeated season. As a result, the legend of Johnny Football erupted.