BCS Rankings Week 14: 10 Reasons Oregon-Auburn Is the Best National Title Game
The top two schools in the top two conferences. Nothing could be better in terms of deciding a national champion.
Juggernaut versus juggernaut. Both have been tested at times, and both have prevailed.
In replicas of last season, when Alabama and Texas both came in undefeated, each school has its strengths and weaknesses.
This list will detail those strengths and weaknesses in regards to why this is the best national championship game college football has to offer.
1. Battle for Conference Supremacy
1 of 11
The SEC has won the previous four national title games. The Pac-10 had USC, but that was it, at least until last season.
But this year, after tonight's BCS rankings are revealed, expect both conferences representing two schools in the Top 10.
With that being said, you could argue the winner of this game could propel its respective conference to being the Alpha Conference (as opposed to Alpha Male).
2. Rushing Offense, Rushing Offense, Rushing Offense
2 of 11
Auburn is ranked sixth in rush offense and averages 291.3 yards per game.
Oregon is ranked fifth and averages exactly 300 per game.
So who is going to outrush the other? Both have potential Heisman Trophy candidates (more on that later) and other dynamic parts that go into their high-scoring offenses (more on that later as well).
The key for either defense would be to isolate the run and completely shut out the pass, because these rush offenses are too good to stop—you can only slow them down.
As for the pass offenses, both are effective. However, the pass is not the first option. Therefore it must be completely absent in order for the defenses to contain the rushing game.
3. The Heisman Candidates
3 of 11
Cam Newton
148 completions in 218 attempts for 2,254 yards.
A 67.9 completion percentage with 24 TDs and only six interceptions.
228 carries for 1,336 yards and 18 TDs.
LaMichael James
253 carries for 1,548 yards and 19 TDs.
13 receptions for 169 yards and one TD.
Regardless of who you want to win the Heisman, both of these guys are deserving.
If they compete for a national championship, it will only add to their repertoire of success.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. Burning the Scoreboard
4 of 11
Oregon scoring offense: Ranked first, 555 total points through 11 games, averaging 50.4 per game.
Auburn scoring offense: Ranked seventh, 499 total points through 12 games, averaging 41.5 per game.
If either defense can manage to even slow down the opposing O, the score may still be in the mid to high 30s.
For those working the scoreboard and/or the facility in general, I would have multiple backups for the entire scoreboard.
This could be the most big-play-oriented/exciting championship game since USC vs Texas.
If you watch, don't blink, look away or pay attention to anything else. Because these teams are so good at finding the end zone, I wouldn't even change the channel during halftime.
5. A National Championship
5 of 11
Between both schools, there is a total of one claimed national championship.
Auburn won the 1957 national championship, so 53 years later, they may want another one.
Oregon, on the other hand, has never won a national championship.
The craving for a W in this game would be immeasurable: Winning a national championship and solidifying their team's season in the history of college football is what they should be playing for.
Not to mention Auburn still feels like it was left out to dry after the 2004 season.
If this game happens, whoever wins will be noted as the best team in school history.
A lot to play for, and a lot can be lost—talk about pressure and drama.
But that's just more reasons as to why we all love this game.
6. Saving the BCS
6 of 11
Before I begin, I want you to know that I would much rather have playoffs as opposed to the BCS.
But for those that are in favor of the BCS, this may just help your case/argument.
Most fair-weather college football fans think that the BCS is supposed to match up everyone who deserves to be in the BCS. Not true.
The BCS is designed specifically for the national championship, and the other games are determined by the BCS selection committee.
Therefore, if these two schools play for the national championship (sorry TCU fans), you could argue that the BCS does work.
But as a playoff enthusiast, the BCS NEEDS to be more consistent—but that's another issue.
7. Game Strategy
7 of 11
With as high-scoring and explosive as both offenses are, the overall game strategy for each team may be altered.
An example would be if Auburn gets the ball first and Oregon forces a three-and-out (or vice versa) and Oregon then has the ball.
Chip Kelly and his O may want to slow the game down and take up time of possession and keep the Auburn O off the field.
Auburn's defense does allow 25 points per game, and to methodically wear them out in the beginning would bode well for big plays late in the game.
Same goes for Auburn's O; Oregon does have a slightly better defense (in giving up only 18 points per game), but if Cam Newton can manage the time of possession and keep Oregon's O off the the field, then this game becomes an immediate chess match.
As a big a fan of football as I am, for me, this would be extremely exciting and intriguing to watch.
8. The Kicking Game
8 of 11
Since both schools are so explosive on offense, the special teams play is rather obsolete.
However, that does not mean that it will not matter in the future.
Regardless of how great of an offense you have, a kicking game is crucial, and through 11 games only 34 combined field goals have been attempted by both schools.
Auburn is 15-of-19, and Oregon is 11-of-14. Whoever has the more calm, cool, collected and confident kicker will give its team an advantage in this game.
As for punting, we all know football is a field position game.
Oregon is ranked 34th and averages 42.7 yards per punt, while Auburn ranks a dismal 109th and only averages 37.6 yards per punt.
A five-yard difference in a game like this is massive. Not to mention five yards is half of a first down, so Oregon is favored in this aspect.
9. The Return Game
9 of 11
Auburn averages 24.4 yards per kickoff return and has returned a total of 54 kickoffs.
Oregon averages 23.1 yards per kickoff return and has only returned 38 kickoffs.
Not much of a difference between these stats, other than that Auburn gives up a bit more points defensively (mentioned earlier).
This next stat may be the biggest differential between the schools.
Oregon is the best punt return team in all of college football, averaging 19.2 yards per punt return, along with five TDs.
Auburn ranks an abysmal 93rd and only averages six yards per punt return.
If this happens to be the national championship game matchup, punt returning could be the difference.
10. Coaching
10 of 11
Chip Kelly
A second-year coach with a record of 21-3, in his first year in 2009, he led Oregon to its first Rose Bowl since 1995.
Now he is win one victory away from a national championship appearance. It will be Oregon's first shot at college football immortality in school history.
Gene Chizik
Like his counterpart, Mr. Chizik is also a second-year coach. After a successful campaign in 2009, going 8-5 and winning the Outback Bowl over Northwestern, 2010 has added expectations.
Going undefeated in the gauntlet that is the SEC, Chizik should be in the argument for national coach of the year, especially since he has turned the Auburn football program around in just two years.
Summary
11 of 11
1. Battle for Conference Supremacy
2. Rushing Offense
3. Heisman Candidates
4. Burning the Scoreboard
5. National Championship
6. Saving the BCS
7. Game Strategy
8. Kicking Game
9. Return Game
10. Coaching
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
