SEC Had Tiders To Choose From

Alabama has had a player honored by the Southeastern Conference in almost every week of this season. After the Crimson Tide defeated LSU, 24-15, in the featured game of the week in the nation on Saturday, it was a given that some Bama player—perhaps more than one—would be in for SEC Player of the Week honors. The biggest question was who would be selected.

There were plenty of candidates as third-ranked Alabama (now second in the BCS standings) defeated previously ninth-ranked LSU (which moved up to eighth in the BCS rankings despite the loss to Alabama) in Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday.

It could have been placekicker Leigh Tiffin, who had three field goals (including one that iced the game) and an extra point and became the all-time leading scorer in Alabama history.

It could have been Mark Ingram, who rushed 22 times for 144 yards. Greg McElroy completed 19 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Julio Jones caught four passes for 102 yards, including a dramatic 73-yard touchdown from a short pass.

Rolando McClain led Bama in tackles with nine. Marcell Dareus had four tackles and also had two fourth quarter sacks for minus 12 yards.

It would not be a surprise to see all or most of those players and an offensive lineman or two selected by the Alabama coaching staff for honors later today.

But the SEC picked a good one to represent Alabama.

Cornerback Javier Arenas is the SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The 5-9, 195-pound senior from Tampa, Fla., registered seven total tackles (four solo) with two for losses totaling eight yards and had a quarterback pressure. He was leader of a defensive pack that held LSU to 253 total yards (95 rushing, 158 passing) and 13 first downs. Bama’s defense held the Tigers to three-downs-and-out on six of 11 possessions.

Arenas also returned three kickoffs for 78 yards and four punts for 11 yards.

Arenas is now tied for second in the SEC with 10.5 tackles for losses this season and is third on the team with 52 total tackles (34 solos).

The league also cited wide receiver Jones and defensive end Darerus.