LSU Football: Top 10 Plays of 2011

LSU’s top plays from the 2011 season will forever be remembered by every Tiger fan because of how special this season has been.

These are the plays that have defined the greatest football season in LSU history, and it could quite possibly be the greatest season in college football history.

Whether it was the secondary making a brilliant play, a skill player making shifty moves or one of the quarterbacks going deep to Rueben Randle, there was plenty of great plays to choose from.

There were so many great plays to choose from that I had to leave off Tyrann Mathieu’s strip fumble touchdown against the Oregon Ducks. So which plays made the cut?

These are the top 10 plays of what has been a remarkable season for the LSU Tigers.

Honorable Mention: Eric Reid Hit

If you’re like me, then you love big hits, and boy, this delivered with filthy intentions.

This is what SEC football is all about, and this was LSU showing off that fierce defense early in the season.

Eric Reid is the hardest-hitting defensive player on the team, and he proved it with this hit on Mississippi State’s Vick Ballard.

10. JJ Jump Pass

How ironic that LSU ran this play against Florida?

You think Les Miles did that on purpose? If he did, then that was awesome, and even if he didn’t, it was still a great play.

Any bad memories of Tim Tebow using the jump pass against LSU have been erased by this beauty.

9. Mo Claiborne Return

West Virginia was pulling within reach and getting back into the ball game that LSU was dominating so handedly until this kickoff return.

Mo Claiborne made some swift moves, went up the sidelines, stayed on his feet and took this baby to the house. It was one of many spectacular returns by LSU’s special teams.

8. Jefferson Pass to Reuben Randle

Your opinion may vary, but I thought this was the best pass of the season.

Jordan Jefferson dropped back to pass and placed a gorgeous pass right on the money to Rueben Randle against Western Kentucky.

This was just one of many long touchdown catches for Randle on the year.

7. Claiborne Interception

In the Tigers' third game of the season, Mo Claiborne showed the nation his ball-hawking abilities and would ultimately put the rest of the SEC teams on notice.

Chris Relf tried to go deep on this LSU secondary, and Claiborne reminded him that why they are the best secondary in football.

Claiborne’s athletic interception was one of his six interceptions this year.

6. Honey Badger Punt Return Against Arkansas

I was in the press box for this game, and you could feel the game switch on this one play. Arkansas was up 14-7, punted the ball to LSU’s Honey Badger and the rest is history.

Tyrann Mathieu made an electrifying punt return to tie the game, and there was no looking back for the Tigers.

An old man in the press box turned to me and said, “last time I was here for a No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup, that game was changed by a punt return too.”

He of course was referring to the 1959 Billy Cannon Halloween run that defeated the Ole Miss Rebels.

5. Odell Beckham Touchdown Against Kentucky

The future looks promising, doesn’t it?

Freshman Odell Beckham showed off his athleticism with this incredible catch and run against Kentucky.

He made one shifty move after another, and after running from one sideline to the next, he finally found the end zone.

4. Brad Wing Fake Pun

Of all the great plays, this has to be the most famous play of the season.

“The Crocodile Puntee” made his mark on the college football world with this punt, and he could very well be the most famous punter in college football history.

After a fake punt touchdown run, the play was called back after he taunted Florida players as he crossed the goal line. This started a trend about Brad Wing and his swag, and that swept through the nation also.

This might not be the best play of the season, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable plays.

3. Tyrann Mathieu's Interception on Geno Smith

It was hard not to make this list nothing but Tyrann Mathieu highlights, because it was very tempting.

Out of all the brilliant plays that Mathieu has made all season long, I do believe this one is my favorite.

Mathieu tipped Geno Smith’s pass in the air to himself for the interception, and that was the exclamation point to one of the best games he had all season.

Mathieu finished this game with a forced fumble, recovered fumble and an interception. I seriously could watch this guy’s highlights all day.

2. Mathieu's Second Punt Return Against Georgia

This wasn’t the punt return he took back for a touchdown, but it was far more exciting.

I’d like to point out that he pulled off the same juke move that Trent Richardson did against Ole Miss, except this time, the player didn’t fall down.

Not only did he pull that off, but he nearly juked his way to another touchdown before getting tackled by his shoelace.

Mathieu proved in the SEC championship game that he has a deadly return game to go along with his defensive playmaking abilities.

1. The Interception

There was never any doubt on which play I was going to choose as the top play of the year.

This interception by Eric Reid not only stopped Alabama from scoring and sent the game into overtime, but it took a lot of athleticism to pull off.

Reid went up and made the play, and that was the biggest play not only for LSU’s season, but from a national standpoint as well.

It’s only fitting that these two play again for the national championship, and who knows what remarkable play will happen in that game.