BCS Championship: 10 Ways Auburn Will Prove That the SEC Is Still Tops
As Stanford's former coach, Jim Harbaugh, and returning quarterback, Andrew Luck, stole a good portion of the NCAA headlines this week, the BCS National Championship game quietly flew under the radar.
Now, with only a number of hours remaining before kickoff, the Auburn Tigers and Oregon Ducks will take back the show as they prepare to do battle in college football's biggest game.
These two programs have never met on the gridiron before, and together, they may produce the most exciting battle since the USC-Texas clash in 2006.
Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton survived a recruiting scandal and a potential suspension to propel the Auburn Tigers to eight come-from-behind victories as they battled to an SEC title, undefeated season, and a shot at their first title in more than half a century.
The Oregon Ducks, on the other hand, flew by almost every opponent, scoring 49 points per game en route to a Pac-10 championship, undefeated season, and a shot at their first ever National Championship.
The SEC has won four straight BCS National Championships, while the Pac-10 has not had a representative since USC in 2006.
The Oregon Ducks are one heck of a football team, but here are 10 reasons why the Auburn Tigers will prove the SEC is still the very best college football has to offer.
10. Disruptive Defense When It Matters Most
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Oregon's rushing attack averages 303 yards per game.
The Auburn defense only gives up 111 yards per game on the ground.
The Tigers will have their hands full with the Ducks, and despite being stout against the run, the Ducks will gain some yards.
What the Tigers do have, though, is the most disruptive defensive lineman the country, Nick Fairley, and the ability to wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
The 6'5", 298 pound defensive tackle recorded 10.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback hurries this season.
His running mate, senior defensive end Antoine Carter, racked up 4.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hurries off the edge.
The Tigers produce a decent amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, averaging just over two sacks per game, but it is the timing of their playmaking that is so important.
Fairley and company find ways to make the biggest impact at huge moments in the game—just ask Alabama.
9. Gene Chizik Is Better Than You Think
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Chizik certainly was not universally applauded when he got the job two years ago, but a lot changes when you win.
He can recruit—he has a top 15 ranked class for 2011 by ESPN, but that won't help him in the title game.
While Auburn's coach had the luxury of the best player on the field every game this season, it takes a lot to keep calm, make adjustments, and win football games when trailing in more than half of your contests.
Chizik did exactly that this season as the Tigers rallied from behind to win eight of their 13 games, and he knows how to push all the right buttons for his football team to succeed.
8. What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger
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While the Oregon Ducks took care of every team they played this season, the Pac-10 is not the breeding ground for strong competition that it should be.
Stanford, who finished the season as hot as any team in the country, is the only Top 25 finishing team that Oregon did battle with this season, and that could be part of their undoing.
Auburn, who battled five Top 25 teams this season, including a repeat tussle with South Carolina in the SEC title game, is accustomed to fighting for everything it has.
The SEC, which is and has been the best conference in college football, only makes Auburn stronger.
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7. More Than One Weapon
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The duo of Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb are a better pair running backs than given credit for.
The pair has combined for 1,713 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.
Senior running back Mario Fannin can also make plays and averages 6.5 yards per carry.
Wide receiver Darvin Adams, Newton's favorite target on the outside, has averaged close to 19 yards per reception, while Terrell Zachery and Emory Blake have each scored touchdowns of 80 plus yards this season; the three receivers have combined for 18 receiving touchdowns to date.
The Tigers running game, including Newton, has combined for 41 rushing touchdowns while averaging 287 yards rushing per game.
6. Preparation
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The Oregon Ducks, a destructive team that loves to jump out to early leads and ride the momentum to the final whistle, is as fast a team as their is in the nation.
The signature, no-huddle speed offense they run has caught teams off-guard all season long; it won't catch Auburn.
While no amount of practice reps can simulate the game speed the Ducks play with, Auburn will be more prepared for the the Ducks than any other team all season.
When the Tigers get after the Ducks running game, things could change quickly for the Ducks attack, and if Auburn can get up early, Oregon could be in a for a battle it has not yet faced this season.
5. Neutral Field
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Both the Ducks and Tigers have done a good job on the road this season.
Oregon, who traveled to six games in a weak Pac-10, had much better numbers in the friendly confines of Autzen Stadium.
Auburn, who only had to travel four times during the regular season, already had a neutral field contest in the SEC title game.
Playing for the National Championship at a neutral field certainly favors Auburn more than it does Oregon.
4. Turnovers
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The Oregon defense, one of the best team defenses in the country, lives on turnovers.
They do a fantastic job at forcing interceptions, 20 on the year, and have also recovered 15 of their 16 forced fumbles.
Newton and the Tigers do not turn the ball over.
Cam only threw six interceptions on 256 attempts during the season, and the team only committed 15 turnovers altogether.
3. Finding Ways To Win
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Auburn has had plenty of close calls this season, winning six of their games by eight points or less.
No matter what the scenario, including a 21 point deficit on the road in the Iron Bowl, nothing could deter the Tigers from winning all of their games.
Double digit deficits, last second field goals, overtime; nothing has stopped them this season.
2. The Heisman Trophy Winner
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Cam Newton is the Heisman Trophy winner for a reason; he is virtually unstoppable on the football field.
1,402 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns along with 2,589 yards passing and 28 touchdowns is what makes the Tiger offense go.
The Ducks may be the better overall team, but the Tigers have the best player on the field, and he has yet to fold; we should expect nothing less.
1. History
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The SEC has never lost in the BCS National Championship game.
In five appearances since the 1998 creation of the BCS, the SEC is an undefeated 6-0, with four straight victories.
Auburn, who has a chance to give the SEC its fifth straight title, has everything, including history, on its side.
Wes O'Donnell covers the NFL, NCAA, and NFL Draft on a year-round basis. He also contributes to NFL Draft Bible. He can be followed on Twitter.
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