Alabama - Missouri (SEC Championship, Atlanta, 4 PM ET, CBS): Yes you guessed it, it's that time we've all been waiting for. One team from the SEC East and one from the SEC West come together to decide who will be the 2014 SEC Champion. #1 Alabama takes on #16 Missouri. Alabama will be making their 9th appearance overall with a 4-4 record. Missouri is making only their second appearance since joining the SEC in 2012. Their only appearance is a loss to Auburn in last year's game 59-42. Let's take the time to review how these two teams got here:

Alabama (SEC West Champions): The Crimson Tide started off in Atlanta facing West Virginia in the Chick-Fil-A Classic in Atlanta. Their pass defense was extremely weak when they gave up 365 yards even when not giving up the lead. Blake Sims was just learning the ropes being named the starting quarterback when he and Florida State transfer Jake Coker struggled. Despite not throwing a touchdown, Sims did throw for 250 yards with 1 interception. T.J Yeldon took the load with 126 yards and 2 touchdowns. Adam Griffith made 4 field goals to keep them in the game.

Their next true test was Florida visiting Tuscaloosa. Alabama had key miscues in the first quarter, but Sims and Amari Cooper lit up the Gator defense. Sims recording a school record 484 yards and 4 passing touchdowns along with Cooper's 201 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns.

Their only blemish was at Ole Miss coming in as a #1 team. Even when the Crimson Tide led 17-10 in the 3rd quarter, Christion Jones fumbled a kickoff in the 4th, leaving Bo Wallace to a comeback victory 23-17. Sims almost led a comeback of his but was picked off by Senquez Golson.

Alabama then faced an uphill battle facing a much improving Arkansas team. Some had thought they still hung up on the loss to Ole Miss. The game was kept in hand for Alabama when Arkansas kicker John Henson missed an extra point. Even when giving up 246 yards from Brandon Allen, they kept the powerful Razorback running game in check winning 14-13. After unexpectedly blowing out Texas A&M 59-0, they had three of their biggest SEC tests of the year.

They fought physically hard to an overtime battle against LSU in Death Valley. First downs and rushing yards were key to beating LSU in which the hardest fought SEC West battle this year. They regained first place in the SEC West by beating then #1 Mississippi State 25-20. After leading 19-3 at the half, the Crimson Tide defense held off a 2nd half comeback by Dak Prescott. They intercepted Prescott three times during the game.

Then came the most historic Iron Bowl in SEC history. Both teams combined for over a record 1,100 total yards which also cost Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson his job. Amari Cooper set records all over with 13 receptions and an Iron Bowl record 224 receiving yards. When it appeared Auburn had the game in hand, Sims and Cooper linked together with some Kiffin magic in the 4th quarter. Both Alabama and Auburn have pretty much made the Iron Bowl the SEC Game of the Year if not college football's game of the year, topping the Alabama-LSU game.

Missouri (SEC East Champions): Missouri's road back to Atlanta was not as pleasant as last year. WR Dorial Green-Beckham was dismissed from the team for drug-related issues. What was thought to be a repeat year with new starter Maty Mauk turned rocky from the start. When it looked like the offense was getting on track after a 3-0 start, they were upset by a now 4-8 Indiana team. The offense since lost its spark. Mauk was not the calm rocket arm thrower he once was last season. He had to depend on Russell Hansbrough to score there key touchdowns and his defense to comeback and beat South Carolina.

Their worst outing was getting shut out at home by Georgia 34-0. Even though it was a win, it took multiple turnovers and only one offensive score to send Will Muschamp closer into the hot seat at Florida. It took two more SEC games with Vanderbilt and Kentucky to get Mauk back close to where he was last year. After close games with Texas A&M and Tennessee, they had their most hard fought battle with Arkansas in the first ever Battle Lines Rivalry game created by the SEC.

Missouri had to beat Arkansas or Georgia would face Alabama in Atlanta. If they ended with the same record, Georgia would've held the tiebreaker. The Razorbacks had the game well in hand with Brandon Allen playing injured and their defense keeping Mizzou in check. Andrew Baggett's two 50+yard field goals kept Mizzou alive when Mauk and Hansbrough launched a 4th quarter comeback. Allen in every bit of pain from a soft tissue injury almost brought them back until Alex Collins fumbled, falling short of their 3rd straight SEC win.

This is pretty much where the road has lead since Labor Day weekend. Both had battled back from key losses to get where they are now. But in the SEC, nothing is handed to you. You earn every bit to get to Atlanta. Alabama's road actually began in Atlanta against West Virginia and will end there with either a win or a loss. If Alabama wins, they are possibly guaranteed a spot in the CFB Playoff. If Missouri wins, it will mean keeping the SEC out. This writer is not one to play favorites. Yours truly does want the SEC in the playoff; that is a must. But if Mizzou does win, it is what it is. It will show they are willing to hand with the SEC and silence their doubters because of their geographic location. They want to show no matter where you're from, you can win anywhere. Texas A&M have proven that so far. It's now Missouri's turn to do the same. May the best SEC team win.  

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About the author
Bryan  Law
My name is Bryan Law. I live in Columbus, MS. I have just began writing articles about 2 months ago. I'm a huge follower of SEC Football and NASCAR. I've been married for 14 years and have a 13 year old son.