Cameron Newton and the Auburn Effect: How It Works and How the Tigers Are Close

So if you have "buried your head in the sand," then you probably can't hear what is being said about Cameron Newton and Auburn University. The fact is right now, Newton is still eligible to play for the Auburn Tigers. He will continue to be eligible unless the NCAA deems him not to be eligible.

Whether or not it is a risk to take is solely dependent on what Auburn University wants or needs to do. As of now, Auburn believes that all will eventually pass, and this will hopefully be nothing more than a blip on the radar.

The issue that needs to be addressed is not the fact that Auburn is not talking. The real issue is trying to explain why others may think that Auburn fans have turned down their hearing when it comes to these allegations. It is not because we don't want to hear the facts. It is because Auburn has had to deal with situations like this several times before.

Auburn suffers what fans and alumni like to call "The Auburn Effect." Each time Auburn attempts to vie for the national championship, an event, whether it be cause due to actions by the university itself or by others, seems to hold Auburn up from obtaining their second national title. 

The most recent case comes in 2004, with the infamous BCS snub that most of today's college football fans know.  In 1993, Auburn went 11-0, but was unable to go to vie for any championship due to probation for violating NCAA rules.  In 1983, Auburn finished third after an 11-1 season that saw Miami jump from fifth to first to claim the national title.  Add the fact that Auburn lives in the same state as the University of Alabama, and it is easy to see why Auburn fans feel like they are always backed up in a corner. 

It is this notion of being cornered that should make it easy to see why Auburn alumni and fans are acting in the manner that most national pundits are trying to illustrate.  Actually, the typical fan doesn't care who says what about the team.  All the fan knows is that one of his own is being attacked without due process. 

"Such is life," many would say, but that doesn't make it right.  Auburn fans want the truth as much as anyone else, but that doesn't mean they will turn on someone just because others are throwing stones. 

Everyone sporting orange and navy blue has become closer to each other in unprecedented fashion.  Auburn fans always identified themselves as special and unique, but now when threatened, they have become a force in itself to be reckoned with.  Just listen to Jordan-Hare this past Saturday for proof.  

This song has been played on cassette, CD and iTunes.  Different formats, same tune.  It is easy to see why Auburn fans have been so "closed minded" when these allegations came to light.  Does that mean that Auburn fans have no hope? 

Of course not.

Auburn fans are tired of hearing this song.  For once, these fans, this university, want things to go right. 

We should know more about the case sometime real soon.  As for now, until proof is shown, the only two things Auburn fans want to hear are "War Eagle" and the Auburn version of "Rammer Jammer."

For more news and opinion on Auburn Athletics, please visit The Auburn Tiger Sports Blog.