Heisman Race: How Cameron Newton Has Won

Any doubt that Cameron Newton would win the Heisman this year was all but erased on Saturday.

Newton wrapped up his incredible year with a six-touchdown performance in the SEC title game, which in turn propelled his team to the BCS National Championship.

After the NCAA cleared Newton in a pay-for-play scandal last week, it appears that Newton should easily be the winner of this year's Heisman.

Here is how he got to this point.

Arkansas State

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers points out the defense of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

In his first game as a Tiger, Newton stormed onto the scene. 

Despite only having 186 yards throwing, he managed three passing touchdowns.

But it was what he did on the ground that caught people's attention. 

15 attempts, 171 yards, and two touchdowns helped Newton gain some of the spotlight that he would not lose all season long.

South Carolina

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers reacts after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After two consecutive sub-par games against Mississippi State and then Clemson, Cam Newton the Heisman candidate re-emerged against South Carolina. 

Newton would throw for 158 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 176 yards and three touchdowns.

All this against a key SEC rival.

Arkansas

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after their 56-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox

In the highest scoring game in SEC history, Newton came ready to play.

Newton and the Tigers would outshoot Ryan Mallet and the Razorbacks 65-43.

Newton's final numbers were 140 yards passing and one touchdown, and 188 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

The Tigers 'fluke' status was gone, and so was Newton's.

Alabama

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers points out the defense of the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

When Auburn got down 21-0 to Alabama in the final week of regular season SEC play it looked like a two fold problem for Newton.

He was about to lose his chance at the Heisman, and his team was about to lose their shot at a national championship.

Newton made sure that didn't happen.

Behind three passing touchdowns and one rushing, Newton put his team on his back to beat their arch nemesis.

All that seemed to stand in Newton's way of a Heisman was the SEC title game.

South Carolina

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates with the crowd after the 2010 SEC Championship against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Tigers beat the Gamecocks 5

Well by now you know how this plays out.

In the season finale Newton had to lead his team to victory over South Carolina once again to secure a spot in the BCS National Championship.

And Newton stepped up more so than even the most optimistic people expected.

When the game was over Newton had over 400 total yards and six touchdowns.

WOW. Hand the man the Heisman. I'm sold.