Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton is the best player on the field and while that is obvious, but he is really that good and here is the science to prove it.
Saying Cam Newton is the main reason that Auburn will win is similar to saying that Oregon's main key to victory is in their rushing attack. Newton being six-feet-six-inches tall and weighing in at 247 pounds is the reason it takes more then one person to take him down in the running the game.
The offensive line is just as important in Newton's success in the running and passing game. The Auburn line is in the top third in sacks and tackles for loss in the nation, and while part of that has to do with how good the Auburn line is Newton plays a roll in avoiding some of those would-be sacks with his athleticism.
The Auburn line will have their worked cut out in trying to stop the Oregon defensive line who is in the top third in sacks and tackles for loss. If the Auburn line can give Newton time to throw and run then their offense should hum along as normal.
The biggest area where Auburn needs to step up is in their pass defense which is near the bottom in the nation in passing yards per game and quarterback efficiency. SB Nation's Auburn blog Track'em Tigers feels the same:
Coming off their best performance of the year against South Carolina, the Tiger backfield must duplicate its effort again to have a chance.
Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas certainly doesn't get the hype of his counterpart, but he's been nearly as effective through the air as Cam Newton. He's completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,518 yards. He's also fairly dangerous on the ground, shredding opponents for nearly 500 yards of rushing.
Oregon's receiving corp. is a senior group led by Jeff Maehl, Sr., 6-1, 184. He's grabbed 12 touchdown receptions this season, which is a school record. Duck receivers have a reputation for running disciplined routes and are great downfield blockers.
Auburn cornerback T'Sharvan Bell must continue the high level of play he's shown in wins over Alabama and South Carolina. Neiko Thorpe must prevent giving up the big play, which is what Oregon's offense thrives on. Without question, this is Auburn's chief concern.
The secondary also could use some help from the Auburn defensive line by pressuring Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas to make quick throws or by sacking him. The secondary must not allow the big plays that Oregon is known to produce in throwing the deep ball. The Auburn secondary can give up the yards, but limiting big plays will limit what Oregon can do in the passing game.
The BCS championship game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. MT on ESPN at Glendale, Ariz.