It's the day we've all been waiting for since the 2010-2011 NCAA season ended in December. January 10th 2011, the day the national champion will be crowned between the #1 Auburn Tigers and #2 Oregon Ducks. There are some exciting elements to this game as once again a Heisman trophy winner will be competing in the national championship game and both teams are vying to win their first national title for their respective schools.
Since 2000 there has been a "Heisman Curse" on the winner who goes on to play in the national title game. Sam Bradford, Troy Smith, Reggie Bush, Jason White, Eric Crouch and Chris Weinke all members of the "curse" as they all lost the title game after winning the Heisman. Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Mark Ingram were the few that found success and were able to win both a Heisman and a title. Can this years winner, Cam Newton, follow in their footsteps? Or will he become another member of the infamous "curse"?
Cam has been a monster in college football this season, combining for 49 total touchdowns, 1,409 rushing yards and 2,589 passing yards, that folks, is "video game" like stats. Newton has lead the Tigers to 4 come back victories after being down in those games by double digits (South Carolina, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama). They won 4 games by three points or fewer and know how to win those close games. Auburn's head coach Gene Chizik has won a national title as a defensive coordinator with Texas in '06 and has a 8-0 record as an assistant or head coach in bowl games. Auburn has gotten a ton of press this year with Cam Newton and his father's scandal and know how to push through adversity. There is nothing uber complex about Auburn, it will all come down to the same question every team they played this year had to answer, "Can they stop or contain Cam Newton?"
Oregon on the other hand as their fair share of offensive explosiveness. They ranked first in PPG with 49.3 and 12th with 18.4 PAG. Running back LaMichael James ran for 1,682 on the season with 21 touchdowns. Oregon has outscored their opponents 115-24 in the 4th quarter and certainly know how to close out a game. The Ducks had 53 plays of 25 yards or more and 8 plays of 60 or more and certainly don't lack the offense. It will all come down to how their defense can slow down Cam Newton
The debates can go on and on for these two teams as both validate why they are competing for a national title. Personally, I am rooting for Oregon to pull this one out. I actually had the opportunity to watch Oregon versus USC this year and it was impressive. From how tight and quick their offensive scheme is run or how they can take it to the house on any given play, their offense will be tough to defend. Cam Newton has dazzled us all with his stellar play and showed that he has the "it" factor. It's a toss up for who wins this one but I'm going with 38-35 the Oregon Ducks on this one.
I've spent some time with Coach Tony Dungy this season who really likes the Ducks. Granted he his a little bias with his son, Eric, playing there but with someone as prestigious as him picking the Ducks you can't go wrong. Below is a video I worked on for him. I'll be cheering for the Ducks and the "sick nasty" uniforms tonight.
