Tiger Paradise

Auburn and Oregon, while known for the high flying offenses, didn't disappoint in a defensive showdown.  I had the feeling that this is probably how the game would play itself out.  Auburn are national champions because they were more suited to this kind of game.

They had won 6 games this season by 8 points or less (this game would make it 7), three of those wins came against ranked teams.  Another point to note is that all those six teams played in bowl games, finishing with a combined 3-3 record.  This team mirrors the 2002 Ohio State team as well as the 2003 LSU team; both teams won the national championship because they knew how to grind it out in the close games.

What Heisman jinx?

Oregon can hold their head up high even in defeat, because there is no shame in losing to a team that is just as good as you are, if not better.  Auburn seemed to have a little more gas in the tank and were able to make the extra plays needed for the win.  Oregon should be able to make another title run with both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas returning to school for another season.

Cam Newton may not have had his best game, but he surely did enough to get the Tigers over hump for the program's first national title since 1957.  His passing was off at times, but he connected on a couple of long touchdowns and broke off a big run every now and then.  When Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews forced a fumble off Newton, it seemed that Heisman jinx was back at work.  Oregon ended up tying the score, but Newton will be thanking Michael Dyer, the game's Offensive MVP, for saving the day, when he broke off runs of 37 yards and 16 yards to set up Wes Byrum for the game winning field goal.

Wes Byrum putting his foot down on matters.

The play of the game came when Nick Fairley and the Tigers defensive line stuffed Kenjon Barner on a "4th & Goal" play from the 1 yard line.  It was enough to turn the tide in Auburn's favor.  Had Oregon scored the touchdown or a field goal, there is a chance that they might have won the game.  Decisions, decisions; why do they have to be so hard.  Auburn's defensive line worked excellently, constantly pressuring Darron Thomas into throwing the ball early and stuffing LaMichael James at just about every opportunity they could get.  Along with Michael Dyer, they get my vote for the game's MVP.

As far as that Heisman Jinx is concerned (I covered this in an earlier article), we'll have to worry about it next year.  I gotta hand it to Cam Newton; this guy is just a winner.  Forget about all the NCAA investigations and whatnot.  He has won at just about every place he has been.  He won a national championship at Florida (as a backup to Tim Tebow), he led Blinn College to the juco national championship and lifted Auburn to national title.

With the kind of season that he's had, I think he's about ready to cash in on his talents (you can take that in any context that you'd like).  He should most likely go #1 overall, since Andrew Luck opted to return to school for another year (I kind of didn't see that one coming).  Should he leave, it would be wise to say that not only will we be crowning a different champion next season, but it likely won't come from the SEC. 

So in parting, I would like to congratulate Auburn on their great season.  Enjoy and hopefully, it won't be another 53 years before your next title.