Video: The Oregon Ducks' Top 5 Plays of 2010

As the Oregon Ducks prepare to face the LSU Tigers in their September 3rd showdown in the Cowboys Classic, it's time to look back at the Top 5 plays from the 2010 season.

There are two factors I took into account when ranking these plays:

1. How impressive was the actual play?

2. How important was the play to winning the game and how integral was the play in remembering the 2010 season?

Without further ado, let's reminisce on the top plays of 2010—the plays that made our eyes pop, jaws drop and collectively say, "No he didn't!"

#5: Jeff Maehl Creates His Own Highlight

Trailing 17-15 midway through the second quarter, QB Darron Thomas goes to the air. The announcers were right—Jeff Maehl could have simply caught the ball and this would have been a routine albeit impressive touchdown.

But Maehl was off-balance or jumped with his wrong foot and we will forever be blessed with this impressive bobble-and-catch touchdown.

#4: LaMichael James ASU TD Spring

Trailing 7-0 early in a game Oregon could have easily lost in Tempe, LaMichael James brings the Ducks even with the Sun Devils on this 40-yard sprint to the end zone.

#3: Cliff Harris to the House

After an hour-long thunderstorm delay which came after a dismal start for the Ducks, Tennessee was putting together a drive to potentially tie the game up. More than 100,000 loud SEC fans were very much into the game when Matt Simms threw a pass towards the sidelines that Cliff Harris broke perfectly on.

Crowd silenced. Game over. Tennessee would never challenge again.

#2: Thomas to Maelh for 2 in "The Natty"

If you're a Ducks fan, you may not want to remember any highlights from the National Championship game. The teams were so evenly matched that it ended by a last-second field goal for the Auburn win.

The Ducks wouldn't have even had a chance to make it that close if it weren't for the forced fumble by Casey Matthews, fumble recovery by Cliff Harris, touchdown pitch to LaMichael James and this near-miracle pass and catch by Jeff Maehl.

#1: The Back-Breaking Run at Tennessee

With the game deadlocked 13-13 in the second half, the Ducks needed inspiration. They didn't want to get into a boxing match with a SEC team in the fourth quarter.

Oregon was a team based on sprinting and running past opponents. In one play, LaMichael James defined the 2010 season and broke the backs of the Tennessee Volunteers players and fans.