Cameron Newton Is Eligible: Can Auburn Beat South Carolina a Second Time?

The Rematch

In the first matchup with South Carolina reminded me somewhat of the Iron Bowl. Auburn trailed 20-7 in the regular-season matchup. Cameron Newton lead Auburn's offense back into the game.

However, did the Tigers beat the Gamecocks, or did they beat themselves?

Steve Spurrier freaked out when things got rough. He pulled his starting QB Stephen Garcia. That will not happen again. There are probably quite a few things Spurrier regrets, but that switch against Auburn is probably close to the top.

Marcus Lattimore didn't have success against Auburn the first time. If Nick Fairley's shoulder is healthy, I don't see them running it Saturday, either.

Garcia will be forced to beat us with his arm. With Auburn's dreadful secondary that isn't good news. Alshon Jeffery had success against our secondary, and he will again.

Five Things That Could Cost Auburn a Title Shot

Unlike 2004 when Auburn was snuffed for the title shot, this season the Tigers control their own destiny. However, there are five things that Auburn needs to avoid.

1. Stephen Garcia: Auburn must pressure the South Carolina QB. He's simply too good to let him have time in the pocket. Auburn needs to knock him down as much as possible.

2. Alshon Jeffery: Garcia is going to find Alshon. There is no way Auburn can cover him one-on-one, and they can't afford to double him the whole way. Auburn must keep Jeffery at or below the 100-yard mark.

3. Auburn Secondary: I have not seen the Auburn secondary step up this season, that is, until they did it in the second half in the Iron Bowl. The defense that shutdown Alabama has to be the one to show up. South Carolina has only gotten better since they played us last.

4. Cameron Newton: South Carolina will be the only team to have a second look a Newton. Nobody has stopped Cam, but nobody has had a second look at him. Alabama gave South Carolina the blueprint on stopping Cam from rushing.

5. The Georgia Dome: Auburn who played South Carolina at home, as did they most of their opponents in 2010, will not have that luxury in the SEC championship game. The speed is usually a factor when playing indoors. Is Auburn the faster team? They'll need to be in order to down the Gamecocks a second time.

Prediction

You have Spurrier offense going up against the SEC's worst defense, and this game is for the SEC Championship.

When looking at it like that it seems Auburn doesn't have a chance. When you factor in the Auburn offense led by Heisman hopeful Cam Newton, it doesn't take long to see the game will be a good one.

Auburn knows if they get down a comeback is possible, but I don't see Auburn having to make a great comeback to win. If they fall behind this time, a comeback will be twice as hard, and unlikely.

I believe it will be close in the first half. In the second half I think Cam makes the plays needed to win. When that defensive front gets tired, it won't be quite as effective as the Bama defense was late.

Late in the third and fourth quarters, Newton will run, pass, and might even catch a TD pass for the win.

Auburn 31, South Carolina 17.