The year was 2006. The location was none other than the Swamp.

It was Gary Danielson’s third game as the analyst for “The SEC on CBS.”

He didn’t know at the time, but, on Tuesday, during an appearance on “McElroy and Cubelic In the Morning” on WJOX 94.5 in Birmingham at SEC media days, while reflecting on his illustrious career and the criticism that followed him from week to week, he reflected on what he called “the most consequential game in the history of the SEC.”

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It was Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators vs. Mike Shula’s Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Gators entered the game 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the league but had no visions of a national championship. They were hosting an Alabama team, which just lost a week before to Arkansas after missing three PATs and a field goal.

Certainly not a recipe for such a monumental statement from Danielson all these years later.

Alabama’s Ramzee Robinson and Florida’s Chris Leak, though, changed that.

The Tide led 10-7 at half.

“Urban was not a Chris Leak guy,” Danielson said Tuesday. “He played a bad game the week before. He wanted (Tim) Tebow in there. Chris was not playing well.

“Chris throws one of those soft passes he always used to throw that used to drive Urban nuts out in the flat. Ramzee Robinson cuts the pass, right in his stomach … Chris Leak will never play again. I can guarantee that. I think Alabama’s going to win. They are going to put Tebow in.”

Fate intervened.

“He drops the interception,” Danielson said. “Leak survives.”

Florida 28, Alabama 13.

By the end of the season, Shula is out at Alabama. The Gators are the national champions.

Danielson contends if Robinson makes that interception and scores, then we are living in a much different SEC in 2023.

“If Shula wins that game and goes on to have a good season, I don’t know if there is a Nick Saban at Alabama,” Danielson explains. “I don’t know if Florida wins that 2006 championship. If they don’t win, I don’t think LSU gets the benefit of the doubt in 2007 because that was a close call with two losses.

“It was one of the most consequential plays that I’ve seen in my 17 years.”

Check out the full interview on Spotify.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.