BCS National Championship: Eight Oregon Ducks That Must Step Up To Beat Auburn

After a long wait, we are now only four days away from January 10 and the BCS National Championship Game. Throughout the month of December and the start of January, people have been speculating how the national title game will pan out. In just four short days, the speculation will go out the window and the players will do the talking.

In a matchup against Auburn, Oregon will have its hands full and will need to get its best from all of its players if they want to win the school's first title. Going up against Cam Newton and the Tigers will be a huge test for the Ducks and here are the players that must have their best game for Oregon to win.

Darron Thomas

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks passes the ball in the second quarter of the game against the the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks beat the Beavers 37-20

First and foremost, Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas must settle into the game early and have a game much like he did against Stanford. Without a doubt, Auburn will be loading up to stop the run, which will present Thomas with some open passing lanes.

Thomas will have opportunities to make plays throughout the national championship. If Thomas is locating and connecting with his receivers early, it will open up the entire Oregon offense.

Brandon Bair

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Defensive end Brandon Bair #88 of the Oregon Ducks hits quarterback Nick Foles #8 of the Arizona Wildcats in the fourth quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon.The Ducks won the game 48-29. (P

One of the biggest challenges in playing Auburn is slowing down Cam Newton. One defender that will be key in accomplishing this is Brandon Bair on the defensive line.

Bair is strong and quick and has been able to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Ducks will look to try and gang tackle Newton when he takes off, but if Bair can find some ways to get to Newton and have some solo tackles, it could prove to be huge.

LaMichael James

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks beat the Beavers 37-20 to likely go on to the BCS Championshi

Lets face it, I know the Ducks will pound the ball, you know they will pound the ball and so does Auburn. Teams throughout the year have known they will get a steady diet of James but have failed to slow him down.

Auburn will come into the game knowing that James will continue to get carries. James must continue to use his speed and strength to create big plays in the second half.

Casey Matthews

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Ryan Katz #12 of the Oregon State Beavers lays on the turf after being hit by Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks in the first quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Du

No defender will be leaned on more for Oregon than middle linebacker, Casey Matthews. Matthews has had an amazing senior year for the Ducks and will face his biggest test in his last game.

Matthews will have the task of not only keeping an eye on Newton but also trying to help out in pass coverage. While Matthews has the speed to drop back in coverage, his biggest test will be getting to Newton on the blitz and helping bring him down.

Jeff Maehl

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EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 26: Wide receiver Jeff Maehl #23 of the Oregon Ducks puts a move on cornerback Trevin Wade #24 of the Arizona Wildcats in the fourth quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game

The biggest reason that Jeff Maehl has excelled at Oregon is because of his ability to break off his route and get open for a quarterback that is scrambling out of the pocket. Throughout the year, Maehl continued to find ways to get in the endzone and quickly became the number one target.

While Auburn's secondary has some questions, they have gotten better as the year has gone on. If Maehl can continue to get open, the Ducks will be able to have some success in the passing game.

Cliff Harris

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BERKELEY, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after he returned a punt for a touchdown against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Ge

Cliff Harris could be the biggest X factor in the national championship. Harris will see time both on defense and also on punt returns.

During the year, Harris routinely would be a step away from taking a punt the distance and actually did so four times throughout the season. Special teams plays can change the momentum of a game and Harris is the man for that job.

The only question will be if his defensive play will be at the same level.

Kenjon Barner

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CORVALLIS, OR - DECEMBER 4: Running back Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball in the second quarter of the game against the the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks beat the Beavers

While LaMichael James will see the majority of the carries, Kenjon Barner will certainly play a huge part in a potential Ducks victory. Barner has provided the Ducks offense with a change of pace in the running game and has also given James a chance to catch his breathe without the offense having to slow down.

Since returning from his midseason concussion, Barner has been able to spark the offense. At some point on January 10, Chip Kelly will call on Barner to do it one more time.

Rob Beard

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Kicker Rob Beard #93 of the Oregon Ducks kicks a kickoff in the first quarter of he game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty I

I know, out of all the talent on offense and defense, the last player I select is a kicker. Rob Beard was having a solid season up until the game at Cal. After that game, Beard has missed three field goals and one extra point.

In a game that many expect to have a ton of offensive fireworks, any and all points will be important so the Ducks will need Beard to bring his best to ensure that they do not leave any points on the field.