2011 BCS Championship Game, Auburn Vs. Oregon: Cam Newton Key For Tigers

Yes, this is as obvious as you think it is. Auburn Heisman winner, and all-everything quarterback, Cam Newton will be the single most important player in the BCS Championship Game. There’s no one player that attracts the attention Newton does -- for good or for bad -- in the nation. For what is likely the last time, Newton will hit the field in Glendale, looking to bring a national championship to Stakville.

SB Nation’s Auburn Tigers blog, Track Em Tigers, knows how much Newton means, having seen him up-close all season. While taking a look at the game, they authors used a quote from former Georgia head coach Vince Dooley to portray just how good Newton has been.

“I would have to say that Cam Newton is the best one-season football player I’ve ever seen,” Dooley said. “If Herschel had gotten the ball as many times as Cam Newton, he certainly could’ve been, and we tried to give it to him as many times as possible.”...

Sounds about right. Newton drives the bus for the Tigers and the Oregon Ducks are well aware. Track Em Tigers believes the Ducks, like most teams, will try to keep Newton from taking-off, forcing him to win the game with his arm.

On Auburn’s inside inverted veer, it will be key to see how these guys handle Cameron Newton. They aren’t much bigger than Newton, and will be facing a very agile as well as powerful runner. Most teams that have successfully defended Auburn’s inside running game have had to bring two extra defenders into the box, opening up the speed sweep and the passing game. I expect that to be the case with Oregon also, and given excellent man coverage skills on the outside, I expect the Ducks to try to make Newton beat them with his arm.

Could it be that the BCS Championship Game, featuring two mobile quarterbacks and run-based offenses, comes down to whether Cam Newton or Darron Thomas are able to throw the ball? With the Ducks and Tigers each focused on stopping the run, it just might.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more, and connect with Ducks and Tigers fans at SB Nation’s Addicted To Quack and Track and Track Em Tigers. For a complete list of bowl games and scores, browse our 2010 college football postseason schedule.