Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork. Walter Davis Jersey .com) - The 2014 SEC Championship Game kicks off in the Georgia Dome on Saturday afternoon, with the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide pitted against the No. 14 Missouri Tigers. This years Iron Bowl had a lot to live up to after last years amazing finish, but the 2014 version was nearly as exciting, as Alabama overcame a second-half deficit to capture a 55-44 victory in the highest-scoring contest in series history. It makes you proud, Alabama coach Nick Saban said of his teams resiliency. Im sure our players are extremely happy to win the (SEC) West and have an opportunity to go to the SEC Championship Game. The Tide are now 11-1 overall and with last weeks win they were able to overtake Florida State for the top spot in the AP poll. They have advanced to the SEC Championship Game for the fourth time in the last seven years, having won the game in 2009 and 2012. Its a great competitive venue, and one of the most exciting game that Ive had an opportunity to compete and play in through the years the few times that weve been able to get there, Saban said. This is a special opportunity. Our conference is very difficult, so this is a pretty significant accomplishment to be in the game. Since going just 2-6 in the league in its first-ever SEC season in 2012, Missouri has adjusted to life in its new conference very well by winning back- to-back SEC Eastern Division titles. The Tigers needed to win their regular- season finale to get in the title game this season, and after facing an early 14-3 deficit at home against Arkansas, they climbed back to capture a 21-14 victory for their sixth straight win to move to 10-2 and 7-1 in the conference. This has not been an easy year, but we battled and competed, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. Its our second time down there in a row, and Ill tell you this, thats hard to do...Having the experience of being in this game certainly helps. (The players) understand how awesome of an experience it is. Ultimately though, it goes back to playing you best football. The Tide and the Tigers have split four all-time meetings, with Alabama winning most recently in 2012, 42-10. Alabamas offense has been excellent all season long, averaging 36.7 ppg and 489.3 ypg with great balance between the run (206.8 ypg) and the pass (282.6 ypg). Last week the unit was especially potent in overcoming a 12-point deficit in racking up 539 yards. Amari Cooper stepped up on the biggest stage last week, tying his program record with 224 yards on 13 receptions while scoring three touchdowns. Cooper has emerged this season as the nations most dominant receiver, as he ranks in the top three in the FBS in catches (103), yards (1,573) and touchdowns (14). His accomplishments are even greater when considering hes the Tides only dangerous receiving threat. No one else has more than 33 receptions. Blake Sims has done a great job under center, completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,988 yards with 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while adding stellar rushing stats as well (302 yards, six TDs). He tossed three picks a week ago but helped neutralize those mistakes with five total touchdowns. The rushing attack is spearheaded by two of the most talented backs in the country - T.J. Yeldon (885 yards, eight TDs) and Derrick Henry (754 yards, eight TDs). The duo combined for 199 yards and three touchdowns on 24 attempts against Auburn. Alabamas stout defense had a major hiccup a week ago in allowing 630 yards, but the unit is still one of the nations best in yielding just 16.9 ppg and 312.0 ypg. Linebacker Reggie Ragland (86 tackles, 8.5 TFL, INT, three fumble recoveries) and safety Landon Collins (84 tackles, three INTs) are two of the best players at their positions in the conference. Xzavier Dickson (10.5 TFL, 8.0 sacks), Nick Perry (71 tackles, two INTs) and Cyrus Jones (43 tackles, two INTs) are also in the midst of great seasons. The Tigers have found success this season without the luxury of a potent offense, as they put up a modest 28.6 ppg on 365.9 ypg. The unit may not be explosive but it has been timely, as it was last week when Marcus Murphy run in a 12-yard score with under five minutes left to cap off the come-from- behind victory. Maty Mauk has been an enigma under center. On the positive side of things, hes accounted for 23 touchdowns, but hes completing only 53.5 percent of passes for 189.9 ypg with 11 interceptions. Murphy, in addition to being a strong rusher (747 yards, four TDs), is one of the nations best all-purpose weapons, showing prowess as a receiver (25 receptions, 185 yards, TD), a punt returner (273 yards, TD) and a kick returner (415 yards, two TDs). The Tigers other effective running back, Russell Hansbrough (949 yards, nine TDs), is listed on the injury report with an ankle issue but is probable for Saturdays matchup. Mauks primary target in the passing game is Bud Sasser, whos tallied 65 receptions for 904 yards and nine touchdowns. Jimmie Hunt has also been stellar out wide with 34 receptions for 529 yards and seven scores. Missouri has achieved such great heights this season behind the strength of its defense, which ranks 13th in the nation in points allowed (19.7 ppg) and 16th in yards allowed (331.1 ypg), while forcing 22 turnovers. Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer are two of the best tacklers in the SEC with 103 and 100 stops, respectively. Shane Ray is an elite pass rusher with 20.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks, while Markus Golden (16.0 TFL, 8.5 sacks) also gets plenty of pressure in the backfield. Braylon Webb anchors a strong secondary with 62 tackles and four interceptions. Joe Johnson Jersey . As if he had been rehearsing it, Vasquez looked around with a grimacing stare as he clinched two fists and flexed his muscles. What do you think of DeMar DeRozans face after he hits a big shot, he was asked moments earlier. Mike Bantom Jersey . Phoenix got injured centre Emeka Okafor and a top-12-protected first-round draft pick in 2014 -- giving the rebuilding Suns potentially four choices in the opening round. The Suns also sent guards Kendall Marshall, Shannon Brown and Malcolm Lee to Washington so the deal will work financially. https://www.cheapsunsonline.com/ . Make that, almost always subjective. Saturday at Carrow Road, the spirit of fair play trumped the rulebook, costing Norwich City three points.Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star: My thumb is up to small mercies for Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Every year, ESPN the magazine ranks 122 North American sports franchises, and this year, the Leafs ranked dead last. They were 119th last year, 122nd the year before that, 120th, 121st, 120th - well, you get the picture. ESPN uses a mixture of factors, but the Leafs are persistently rotten in both affordability and wins, the first of which has no chance to changing this season. But theres an upside to the bottom of the barrel: it cant get worse, right? Well, of course it can. Beer prices could rise, a meteor could strike, some league could add an expansion team. But numerically, this is as bad as it gets. If youre a Leafs fan, well, thats got to count for something. Steve Simmons, SUN Media: My thumb is down to the National Football League - I know, its an easy target these days - for its inability to see success, celebrate it, and understand the moment. On Thursday night, Devin Hester - now of the Atlanta Falcons - broke Deion Sanders remarkable record for most return touchdowns in history. Hester did so with style, with Deion in the building and he did so by paying tribute to Sanders by high-stepping the final yards to the end zone. For that, he should have been applauded for both respect and his acknowledgment of history. Instead, he was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. The NFL, in need of an moment it could call good news, flagged itself on the play, sppoiling the celebration. Josh Jackson Jersey. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated: My thumb is up to the other referendum in Scotland this week. By a resounding margin of 85 to 15 per cent, the Royal & Ancient voted to allow women members at St. Andrews. Nice of these gents to enter a new century: The 20th century. Please hold your applause. Finishing runner-up to Augusta National in the category of social change is only mildly praiseworthy. At an existential level, golf is the most egalitarian sport. The only thing that matters is the number on the scorecard. But getting to post that number, getting through the figurative gates to the first tee in this exclusive sport, can make an otherwise great game exasperating. Dave Hodge, TSN: Once more before he plays his last game, my thumb is up to Derek Jeter and the way he has conducted his career. Im not suggesting hes a) the greatest shortstop or b) the best person in baseball history … a) hes not and b) hes probably not. But Derek Jeter has represented himself, his team, his city and his sport about as well as you could want. If you were writing a handbook guide for future athletes, Jeter could be chapter one. Who knows how many would turn out like him, but the number would be greater because of the opportunity to witness what he has done, and to learn from it. Dont make him an idol--the sports world has too many who arent. Make him a good example--the sports world has too few who are. ' ' '