BCS Championship 2011: Comparing Cam Newton to Previous 10 Winning Quarterbacks

As the big BCS National Championship Game quickly approaches, all eyes are on Heisman winner Cam Newton.

Newton dominated college football this season. His immense talent shined through and took center stage above each and every other collegiate player.

Newton not only displayed the ability to quickly overtake a game, but also showed the knack for late-game heroics and bizarre plays that helped shape his legend.

From Hail Mary passes to touchdown receptions, Newton was the focal point for college football each and every week. He led his Auburn Tigers to an undefeated season and the No. 1 ranking in the BCS polls when the season was all said and done.

Newton set the SEC rushing record for a quarterback by rushing for 1,238 yards. He also added 20 touchdowns on the ground, which was good for third in the nation. Newton completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 2,589 yards, 28 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Newton was rewarded for his remarkable play by being declared the AP Offensive Player of the Year as well as the SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

Newton has the accolades and will look to add one more to his résumé: a BCS national championship.

But how does Newton compare to the previous 10 national championship-winning quarterbacks?

Josh Heupel, Oklahoma, 2000-2001

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3 Jan 2001: Quarterback Josh Heupel #14 of the Oklahoma Sooners is hoisted by his teammates after defeating the Florida State Seminoles during the Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. <DIGITAL IMAGE> Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT

Heupel led the Sooners to a rather-uneventful BCS championship victory. Oklahoma defeated Florida State 13-2. Heupel was the 2000 Heisman runner-up but was also named the AP Player of the Year.

Heupel had a very good year statistically en route to the Sooners’ undefeated season and championship victory.

He completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 3,392 yards, 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also ran for seven touchdowns.

In the low-scoring Orange Bowl victory, Heupel threw for 214 yards while completing 25 passes on the night.

Heupel vs. Newton: Newton

Ken Dorsey, Miami (FL), 2001-2002

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MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Ken Dorsey #11 of the University of Miami looks for an open receiver against the University of Pittsburgh during the game at the Orange Bowl on November 21, 2002 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Dorsey led one of the most gifted college football teams around. He was the co-MVP with superstar wide receiver Andre Johnson in their dominating victory over Nebraska 37-14.

Dorsey was a great college football quarterback, bringing statistics and victory-after-victory to the Miami Hurricanes. That greatness simply never materialized in the NFL.

The Heisman finalist completed 57.9 percent of his passes for 2,652 yards, 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

In the BCS championship win, Dorsey threw for 362 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Dorsey vs. Newton: Newton

Craig Krenzel, Ohio State, 2002-2003

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 8: Quarterback Craig Krenzel #16 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass against the Michigan State Spartans during the third quarter on November 8, 2003 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 33-23

Krenzel was awarded the MVP of the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. He had a poor passing performance, completing seven of 21 attempted passes for 122 yards and two interceptions. He did rush for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the 31-24 victory over the Miami Hurricanes.

This was a prime example of Krenzel’s winning ways. He was never much of a passer, but he made up for his woes and found ways to win.

During that undefeated season, Krenzel threw for 2,110 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions and rushed for three touchdowns.

Krenzel vs. Newton: Newton

Matt Mauck, LSU, 2003-2004

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 4: Quarterback Matt Mauck #18 of the Louisiana State University Tigers greets fans before the National Championship Nokia Sugar Bowl game against the University of Oklahoma Sooners at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2004 in Ne

A dual athlete, Mauck had a great season for the LSU Tigers. He was an integral part of the team, leading them to the 2003 BCS championship. Mauck was unsuccessful as a professional, but nobody could take away from his 2003 season with the Tigers.

Mauck completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,825 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Mauck disappeared in the 21-14 BCS championship victory over the Oklahoma Sooners.

Mauck threw for just 124 yards and two interceptions and failed to throw a touchdown pass.

Mauck vs. Newton: Newton

Matt Leinart, USC, 2004-2005

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 03: Matt Leinart #11 of the USC Trojans warms up before the start of the game against the UCLA Bruins on December 3, 2005 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. USC won 66-19. (Photo by Christian Peter

Leinart, though successful at USC, was one of the more overrated quarterbacks talent-wise. Leinart was blessed with a superb coaching staff and supporting cast.

The 2004 Heisman winner did have a great statistical season—nobody could take that away from him.

He completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 3,322 yards, 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions with three rushing touchdowns. Granted, Leinart was able to feed off one of the best rushing attacks in the nation.

Leinart has since been exposed in the NFL, proving his doubters right.

Still, Leinart won a BCS national championship and took the Trojans back to the coveted Rose Bowl the following season.

In his 55-19 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners, Leinart was voted the MVP of that 2005 Orange Bowl. He threw for 332 yards and an Orange Bowl-record five touchdown passes.

Leinart vs. Newton: Newton

Vince Young, Texas, 2005-2006

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Vince Young #10 of the Texas Longhorns celebrates after defeating the USC Trojans in the final moments of the BCS National Championship Rose Bowl Game at the Rose Bowl on January 4, 2006 in Pasadena, California. Te

Young is perhaps the only quarterback on this list who could match the athleticism of Cam Newton.

Young, like Newton, was the epitome of a college quarterback. He had vision, accuracy, arm strength, speed, toughness and strength. He was an unstoppable dual threat and he proved it in one of the greatest football games ever played. He was the Texas Longhorns that season.

Young threw for 3,036 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions that season. He also rushed for 1,050 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Young was declared the offensive MVP of that 2006 Rose Bowl. He threw for 267 yards and rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Young vs. Newton: Young

Chris Leak, Florida, 2006-2007

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Chris Leak #12 of the Florida Gators scrambles with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter of the 2007 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Janu

Leak was a solid collegiate quarterback, although many believed his success was simply due to Urban Meyer’s system. Leak led the Gators through a great season in light of speculation that he could lose his job to future Heisman-winner Tim Tebow.

Leak was named the offensive MVP of the 2007 BCS championship game for his stellar performance and his team’s dominance over Ohio State, winning 41-14.

On the road to the 2007 championship, Leak completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 2,950 yards, 23 touchdowns and 13 interceptions along with three rushing touchdowns.

Leak completed 25 passes in the championship rout for 213 yards and a touchdown.

Leak vs. Newton: Newton

Matt Flynn, LSU, 2007-2008

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Matt Flynn #15 of the Louisiana State University Tigers celebrates as he walks off the field after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 38-24 in the AllState BCS National Championship on January 7, 2008 at the Louisiana

Flynn became the LSU starting quarterback in his fifth year with the team after JaMarcus Russell left for the NFL to become a bust.

Flynn had a good season for the LSU Tigers en route to the BCS championship victory.

He completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 2,407 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also ran in four touchdowns.

Flynn would save his best for the final dance, though.

In the 38-24 victory over Ohio State, Flynn threw for just 174 yards and an interception but also four touchdowns, as he was named the MVP of the contest.

Flynn vs. Newton: Newton

Tim Tebow, Florida, 2008-2009

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators celebrates after defeating the Cincinnati Bearcats 24-51 during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C.

This is where things get interesting on the list.

Tebow is one of the greatest college football players of all-time. Not only was Tebow naturally gifted with great size, speed, vision and throwing ability, he also had the innate ability to will and inspire his teammates.

It never felt like the Tebow-led Florida Gators were ever out of a game because everyone believed if anybody could make a comeback, Tim Tebow could. Tebow is a winner and was one of the most exciting college players in history.

Tebow led the Gators to the No. 2 ranking in the 2008 BCS polls and defeated the No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.

Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy the year before, became the first player to throw for 20 touchdowns and rush for 20 touchdowns in a single season. Cam Newton matched that feat this season.

On his way to the BCS championship, Tebow completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 2,747 yards, 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also ran for 673 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In the BCS championship victory over Heisman-winner Sam Bradford’s Oklahoma Sooners, Tebow won the offensive MVP award as he threw for 231 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 109 yards on 22 carries.

Tebow vs. Newton: Tebow

Greg McElroy, Alabama, 2009-2010

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Greg McElroy #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws the ball against the Texas Longhorns in the second half of the Citi BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (P

McElroy took a back seat to Mark Ingram’s Heisman campaign but was still a leader as part of the Crimson Tide’s undefeated surge to the top of college football.

McElroy had a solid season, completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 2,508 yards, 17 touchdowns and just six interceptions and one rushing touchdown.

Much like the entire season, McElroy took a backseat to the fantastic rushing attack led by Ingram and Trent Richardson.

McElroy completed just six of 11 attempted passes for 58 yards with zero touchdowns and turnovers.

McElroy vs. Newton: Newton