Saturdays in the South: A History of SEC Football

In the aftermath of the Civil War, America's South is looking to put the past behind it, and finds one path in a growing cultural passion of the North - football. In December 1932, the Southeastern Conference is officially formed.

Multiple SEC schools claim national titles from the 1930s through the '50s, including LSU with star running back Billy Cannon in 1958, prior to Cannon's epic game-winning punt return against powerhouse Ole Miss a year later.

In the 1960s, as Georgia Tech leaves the conference and the Civil Rights Movement becomes embedded in the history and image of the region, Bear Bryant, hired in 1958, becomes the face of Alabama - and SEC football.

As a new decade dawns, quarterbacks Archie Manning, Bert Jones and Condredge Holloway build memorable legacies. Bear Bryant begins a new run of dominance at Alabama, and the rise of television sports transforms the SEC.

The 1980s begin with Herschel Walker leading Georgia to a national title as a freshman. After Bear Bryant retires in 1982 and passes away four weeks later, control of the SEC is eventually transferred to Pat Dye and Bo Jackson at Auburn.

The 1990s bring change, with expansion and the sport's first-ever conference championship game. Florida's Steve Spurrier fashions an era of high-octane offense, and his Gators form a rivalry with Tennessee and QB Peyton Manning.

Nick Saban comes to LSU in 2000 and eventually wins the Tigers' first national championship since 1958 - a feat matched by Les Miles. At Florida, Tim Tebow becomes a cult hero and wins two national titles with Urban Meyer's Gators.

The SEC has a run of seven straight national titles, and nine in 12 years. Expansion in 2012 gives the conference 14 schools. Meanwhile, Nick Saban arguably becomes the greatest coach in the history of college football.