2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship: 5 Things We Learned From Auburn's Win

Auburn capped off its magical 2010 season by upending the Oregon Ducks 22-19 in the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship game.

In a season full of comebacks and controversy, the Tigers finally get the credit they deserve for an undefeated season. In a game that many thought would be dominated by potent offenses, it turned out to be the defenses that ruled the night. 

The following are five things we've learned as a result of their victory. 

The SEC Is the Most Dominant Conference in College Football

Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Alabama, and Auburn have all won national championships since the BCS era began 12 years ago.

Florida and LSU have both won it twice. The only other conferences that can lay claim to national champions are the Big 12 (Texas & Oklahoma), Pac-10 (USC), ACC (Miami & FSU—Miami won as a member of the Big East) and Big Ten (Ohio State). 

Only one conference has produced seven of the last 13 national championship teams in college football. It's the combination of size, speed, athleticism, coaching pedigree and a rabid fanbase that makes for a highly competitive conference from top to bottom.  

Nick Fairley Most Likely Will Be the No. 1 Overall Pick in April's NFL Draft

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers sacks Marvin Johnson #1 of the Oregon Ducks in the fourth quarter of the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona.

THE Auburn defensive tackle was playing like a man possessed down the stretch, and the Oregon offensive line looked like a bunch of girls scouts trying to block.

He made play after play, disrupting the flow of the Ducks dynamic offense even if it did involve some dirty play at times. For his effort, he was named MVP of the BCS national Championship. 

He was polite enough to mention he'd need to consult with his coach and family on what to do next as the NFL beckons. The attempt at modesty was appreciated, Nick but who are you kidding? Have fun in the NFL. I hope you like Carolina Blue. 

Chip Kelly's Got Stones

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Head coach Chip Kelly of the Oregon Ducks looks on before taking on the Auburn Tigers in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald M

Even when it seemed like his team was out of it, they never really were.

Chip Kelly managed to coach his Oregon Ducks within one possession of winning a national championship. And that two-point conversation? Gutsy. 

The Matthews Family DNA Is Something Special

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks watches the action from the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game

All week, analysts wanted to know if Casey Matthews and the undersized linebackers of Oregon could contain Cam Newton.

The defense held Newton to 65 yards rushing, and the younger Matthews made his mark on the game by stripping Newton on a critical third down play when the Ducks needed the ball back. 

Needless to say, some NFL teams can't wait to have him on their roster. 

Cam Newton: Will This Cinderella Be Able To Hold On to His Glass Slipper?

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: An Oregon Ducks fan holds up a fake check in reference to Auburn Tigers quarterback Cameron Newton before the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

You want to buy it all—hook, line, and sinker, but you have that sinking feeling a case of buyers remorse is going to set in eventually.

The size, the athleticism, leadership, winning smile, affable nature...Cam Newton is every college football coach and marketing executive's dream. While he's managed to keep things calm and collected above water, you can't help but wonder, if like a duck, he's paddling furiously underwater in an attempt to get away from the NCAA. Only time will tell.