Auburn Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks Preview

by Jacob Morehouse
(Little Rock, Ark.)

2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship

Auburn Tigers vs. Oregon Ducks

There’s only one thing Cam Newton has left to do this season: win the championship. And if Auburn does win, it will be because Newton had another monster game. Don’t count on the Tigers making too many stops against Oregon’s spread attack, which was the highest scoring in the nation.

The strength of the Auburn defense is up front with defensive tackle Nick Fairley. However, most of Oregon’s run game is based outside the tackles, which could limit Fairley’s play-making ability. Look for the Ducks to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers on the perimeter.

Auburn is also vulnerable to big plays in their secondary, and Ducks quarterback Derron Thomas may burn Auburn deep a few times. The Ducks have their own Heisman candidate on offense in LaMichael James, the nation’s leading rusher. Oregon should be able to keep up with Auburn throughout, though in the end Auburn will pull away.

Check out our other SEC Bowl Previews and Oregon vs Auburn.