BCS National Championship Game: 10 Reasons Auburn Will Roll Against Oregon
The BCS National Championship Game is almost upon us. And although two teams enter undefeated, only one can leave that way. Oregon and Auburn are both in their first BCS championship game and have arrived impressively.
Auburn enters the game as the top-ranked team in the country. Sorry, Oregon, but you will not be dethroning the Tigers on Monday. Despite the Ducks' impressive run this season, they'll be remembered as second best in 2010-2011.
Here are 10 reasons why Auburn will leave the 2011 BCS National Championship game ready to party.
10: Oregon Hasn't Performed Well in Bowls Recently
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Oregon is just 2-5 in its last seven bowl games. Sure, this is a different team in a different game, but a pattern is a pattern. Playing against the other best team in the country in the biggest game of the season doesn't make it any easier.
The good news for Oregon is that it has never lost to an SEC team in a bowl game, although it has never played one. Auburn is 2-0 against Pac-10 teams in bowl games.
9: Auburn's Defense Is Bend But Don't Break
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Oregon scores very quickly and often with big plays. But Auburn is used to letting teams run up and down the field on them and always seems to come up with the keys plays defensively.
Defensive tackle Nick Fairley has 21 tackles for loss on the season. Tackles for loss are ultimate drive killers and can get Oregon out of rhythm. Auburn also has 10 interceptions on the season.
8: Auburn Comeback Over Alabama Extremely Impressive
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The Iron Bowl, which is played between Auburn and Alabama, is one of the fiercest rivalries in college football. Alabama was the team that entered the season with national title aspirations which were washed away. Hosting Auburn in the final regular season game of the year, Alabama had its chance to play ultimate spoiler and keep the Tigers out of the SEC title game. And the Crimson Tide raced to 21-0 lead.
After that, it was all Auburn. The Tigers came back behind Cam Newton and great defense to win 28-27. The win shows the resilience and mental toughness needed to win a championship.
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7: Oregon Has Struggled in the Midst of Adversity
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Oregon has succeeded this season by jumping out to early leads and riding them to the finish. Its biggest comeback win of the year came in 52-31 win over Stanford. Oregon trailed 21-3 after one quarter and stormed back at home.
Against Cal, Oregon sneaked by 15-13 with a punt return touchdown in the second half. The Ducks only mustered one offensive score, not able to figure out Cal's defense in the face of very possible defeat. It wasn't the reaction to tough times that fans like to see.
6: Oregon Relies on Forcing Turnovers While Auburn Doesn't Turn It Over
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Oregon has forced 35 turnovers this season. That's nearly three per game. It's been a key component to the Ducks' defensive success.
But Auburn just doesn't turn the ball over. The Tigers have only done so 15 times this season. Cam Newton doesn't get rattled, having only thrown six interceptions in 13 games.
If Oregon can't force at least a couple of turnovers, it's going to have a lot of trouble stopping Auburn.
5: Auburn Makes Tremendous Adjustments
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It's almost as if the Tigers use the first quarter to feel out their opposition, make some changes, and carry on from there. Every opponent brings something new to each game, and Auburn has done a great job adjusting.
In its final four SEC games, Auburn outscored its opponents 142-43 in the final three quarters. In its three most recent SEC games, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina only mustered a total of 26 points in those quarters while the Tiger offense rolled.
4: Auburn Performs Better Away From Home Than Oregon Does
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Oregon had the luxury of having nearly every tough game on its schedule in the friendly and raucous confines of Autzen Stadium. With "The Zoo" offering a tremendous home-field advantage, Oregon rolled.
The road wasn't nearly as comfortable despite a noticeable drop off on the opposition's part. Road games at Arizona State, Cal and Oregon State were much closer than they should have been.
Auburn won at Alabama, at Mississippi and in the SEC Championship game in a neutral site.
3: Auburn Has Been Better Prepared By Its Schedule
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There's no reason to scoff at Oregon's run through the Pac-10. It's a conference worthy of its BCS membership. Oregon did beat three ranked teams, although only one of them (Stanford) was a top-10 when the two played.
Auburn, on the other hand, won five games against ranked opponents, including four ranked in the top-15. Oregon only beat three bowl teams and bowl-banned USC. Auburn won nine games against bowl teams. Advantage Auburn.
2: Auburn Has Had Time To Prepare for the Oregon Offense
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Everyone knows about Oregon's "blur" offense that apparently provides jet-packs for all skill position players. Oregon exploded for 49.3 points per game this season, the highest in the nation, using a fast-paced offense that doesn't let defenses settle.
This has worked against teams with only one week to prepare for it. Auburn has had a month. Added conditioning has had enough time to take effect. Thousands of practice reps have simulated the pace of the Oregon offense. It won't be as affective as it has been against everyone else.
1: Cam Newton
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Is is possible that Cam Newton is more dominant that Tim Tebow was while at Florida? The thing that may make the quarterback so scary is his speed. He's not just going to bowl you over for six yards; he might just bust it for 60 and a touchdown.
Although you know exactly what's coming at you, stopping it is a whole other thing. Heck, slowing it down is hard enough. Newton hasn't been held under 200 yards of offense all season and has racked up over 300 yards eight times. Good luck, Oregon.
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