Cam Newton: How Will SEC Championship, BCS Championship Affect NFL Draft Stock?
Auburn junior quarterback Cameron Newton has further planted himself into Alabama folklore after a 28-27 come-from-behind victory in Alabama on Friday.
With over 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns passing, along with over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing, Newton has been a one-man wrecking machine this college football season.
He's led the Tigers to a perfect 12-0 record and has them one win away from the BCS Championship Game.
He plays South Carolina on Dec. 4 for the SEC championship.
Here are 10 outcomes and how they would affect his NFL Draft stock.
5. Stock Up: Winning the SEC Championship
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Obviously, the BCS National Championship Game is the big one, but bringing Auburn an SEC championship, especially when they were ranked No. 22 in the BCS rankings before the season, would definitely help his cause and would show he doesn't have to be on a powerhouse to be able to win (i.e. he can be on a horrible NFL team).
Despite all he's done this year, the SEC Championship Game is the biggest game of Auburn's season so far, because a loss would mean they would get knocked off their current No. 1 BCS ranking.
5. Stock Down: Losing the SEC Championship
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Losing the SEC Championship Game would hurt Cam Newton's stock more than anything.
If he lost to a South Carolina team he beat 35-27 earlier in the season—but this time on a much bigger stage—he could easily be labeled a choker.
Not to mention, Auburn is heavily favored against South Carolina.
No win is an easy win, but it wouldn't be looked at that way if Newton failed to beat South Carolina. His draft stock would drop dramatically.
4. Stock Up: Winning the BCS Championship Game
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You kidding me?! If Cameron Newton beat Oregon, a team regarded by many to be the better overall team than Auburn, his draft stock would go through the roof.
Maybe not as high as Andrew Luck of Stanford or Andy Dalton of TCU, but it would be up with them.
An Auburn championship title would glorify Newton even more in Auburn's history books, and it would be obvious who led them there.
As mentioned before, Auburn wasn't ranked in the same company as Alabama, Ohio State and Boise State in the preseason, so the fact that Newton actually won a championship with the Tigers would be a huge boost going into the NFL Draft.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. Stock Down: Losing the BCS Championship Game
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Losing a competitive title game to Oregon wouldn't kill Cameron Newton. He would still be regarded as one of the greatest stories (and better quarterbacks) this season.
But it could signal to some that he had a chance and blew it, and make them look back at the fact that he's only done this for one season.
Maybe he's a fluke? Maybe this is where he could turn into JaMarcus Russell? Maybe this is where we don't draft Cameron Newton? The mutterings could be endless among NFL GMs.
Not that it would be warranted, but leaving any doubt in people's minds would probably affect Newton's stock a little bit (which would bring him right to the arms of the Patriots, who would groom him until Tom Brady retires, and start another empire).
3. Stock Up: Losing a Competitive BCS Championship Game
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Yes, I know I just said losing a competitive BCS Championship Game might hurt him, but it could also elevate him in some GMs' eyes due to it merely being a competitive game.
Some believe Oregon is the clear No. 1 team in the nation, despite what the computers say, and expect Newton to wilt under the onslaught the Tigers might take on the defensive side of the ball.
"There's no way he'll be able to match Oregon touchdown-for-touchdown," they'll say.
But then he will. And he'll do so convincingly. And then they will say, "There is a way, after all."
And they will be impressed. Mighty impressed. Impressed enough to elevate him on their QB cheat sheets.
It all depends on what the GM's stance is regarding the strength of Oregon and Cam Newton.
3. Stock Down: Getting Blown Out in the BCS Championship Game
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This would hurt big-time, almost as much as losing the SEC Championship Game.
The general consensus is that Auburn and Oregon belong in the top two. Even if some side with Oregon as the better team, they expect to see some fireworks from Cam Newton.
A blowout loss would add fuel to the notion that Cam Newton is having a fluke year, that he's not an elite NFL Draft prospect, and, worst of all, that he's a choker on a big stage.
It would undoubtedly drop him down the NFL Draft board, and teams in desperate need of an NFL-ready quarterback would probably look the other way.
2. Stock Up: Winning the BCS Championship Game While Injured
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Oh man, could you imagine?
"Cam Newton appears to have suffered a severe sprain to both his ankles after that sack...But...he's getting up...I can't believe it folks! He's going to stay in the game! What a competitor! What heart! He's my hero!"
That's the broadcaster speaking, if you hadn't realized. Except he would sound more like Gus Johnson.
Cam Newton would be an Auburn myth if he beat Oregon with a big injury. He would go down in fables as The Little Tiger That Could or something. Hall of Famers sitting in their rocking chairs would jump up and forget they are 90 years old and can't jump up or they'll hurt themselves.
This would make Newton soar to No. 1. A gamer with the talent to match. The Carolina Panthers would lose the rest of their games to be able to snatch him up.
2. Stock Down: Getting Injured on the First Play of the Game
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The crusty old GMs would mutter, "Another QB with injury problems? No thanks, I'll pass."
He would appear to be one of those running quarterbacks whose style would lead to nice results while he lasted, but then would destroy a team when he went down for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
What's more, he wouldn't be able to show everyone what he could do on the biggest stage in college football.
His stock would drop.
1. Stock Up: Dominating the SEC Championship Game, Then Losing the Title Game
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Where he stands right now, if Cameron Newton absolutely dominated South Carolina on Dec. 4, his NFL Draft stock would probably rise as long as he didn't completely flub in the title game.
Losing the title game would hurt a little, but Newton would still be considered a top QB given he led the Tigers to an SEC championship with ease.
1. Stock Down: Losing the SEC Championship Game by Blowout
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If Cam Newton not only lost to South Carolina next week, but got blown out, his stock would fall faster than Rod Blagojevich without a top legal team.
In fact, he might actually find himself alongside Blagojevich, on Celebrity Apprentice, trying to make a quick dollar and save his tarnished image. OK, that might be going a little too far.
Anyway, it would surely not be good for Cam. He would look like the ultimate choke artist, and people would seriously doubt where his head was at...kinda like JaMarcus Russell.
And Cam could forget about any CAMera commercials.
Conclusion
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So there are the ways Cameron Newton can either improve his stock, skyrocket his stock, drop his stock, or cripple his stock.
It's Cam Newton's choice now.
Just win the BCS National Championship Game, Cam. Then you won't have anything to worry about.
We are all pulling for you, buddy. Except South Carolina, Oregon, and their fans, of course. And any team you beat this season. Which is a lot of teams.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
