If anybody was wondering whether the NCAA investigation completion was a weight off Auburn QB Cameron Newton’s shoulders, the 2010 SEC Championship Game proved it. Cam Newton led the Auburn Tigers to a 56-17 romp over the South Carolina Gamecocks and a berth in the 2011 BCS Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks. Oregon dominated the Oregon State Beaver in the 2010 Civil War an hour earlier to secure the other spot.
Cam Newton was dominant as he threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns, while leading Auburn in rushing with 73 yards and 2 more touchdowns. Although most Heisman ballots are likely in at this point, it’s safe to say any remaining votes would be swung by today’s performance.
This offensive performance has to have folks excited about the potential fireworks on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oregon Ducks bring one of the best offenses in NCAA football history, while Cam Newton is arguably the most dynamic football player in the country this season. I’d imagine we’ll see quite a shootout.
This final result all but assures the Stanford Cardinal will be going to the Fiesta, Orange, or Sugar Bowl, with the Fiesta Bowl being the most likely. The Auburn and Oregon wins assure them of spots in the title game and TCU a spot in the Rose Bowl against likely Big Ten Champion Wisconsin. Stanford will likely be one of the last choices among the at-large teams and thus would potentially face the winner of tonight’s Big 12 championship game between Oklahoma and Nebraska.