The ninth Southeastern Conference Football Championship Game kicked off Saturday, December 2 in the Georgia Dome. In the eight previous games, the event has drawn record crowds that have witnessed heart-pounding finishes, breath-taking performances and super-human athletic talent. It has also produced three eventual national champions and has been an
example that other Division I-A conferences have followed.
From its inaugural game in 1992 at Birminghams Legion Field to last seasons contest at the Georgia Dome, the SEC Football Championship Game has been witnessed by sellout crowds and is consistently the most viewed regular season college football game of the year.
The 1999 matchup had a familiar flavor with Alabama and Florida meeting for the fifth time in the championship game. Alabama used a stingy defense and big plays to defeat Florida, 34-7. Wit the win, Alabama advanced to the Orange Bowl where it played Michigan.
The Crimson Tide was able to expand on its 12-7 halftime lead with a 77-yard scoring run by game MVP Freddie Milons and a 38-yard interception return for a TD by Reggie Grimes in the second half.
The first SEC Championship Game, on Dec. 5, 1992, produced drama beyond anyones expectations. An interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter sealed a 28-21 triumph for Alabama over Florida. The victory propelled the Crimson Tide to the national championship.
The Gators won four-straight SEC Championships from 1993-96. Florida knocked off Alabama, 28-13, in 1993 and, in the games first appearance in the Georgia Dome, defeated the Crimson Tide, 24-23, in the 1994 contest. The Gators continued their domination in 1995, defeating Arkansas, 34-3, to cap an undefeated regular season and secure a berth in the Fiesta Bowl to compete for the national title.
Florida captured the conference crown in 1996 by defeating Alabama, 45-30. The victory put the Gators in the Sugar Bowl, where they defeated rival Florida State to win the national championship.
Tennessee took the next two crowns, defeating Auburn, 30-29, in the 1997 contest and Mississippi State, 24-14, the following season. The Vols went on to win the national championship by defeating Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl following its SEC title win against the Bulldogs.
There have been eight great games and the ninth should be just as fun and exciting on Dec. 2 in the Georgia Dome.
