Apologies for the grand delay in posting.
News that you already know about:
Cam Newton won the Heisman but was left off of the Writer's All America team. There seems to be some question as to whether a player should win the Heisman because of a clause in the mission statement of that award, stating that the winner should show "integrity" in their excellence. Cam Newton was the best player in College Football this year, this is tough to argue - though Andrew Luck was outstanding as well. His father was clearly guilty of shopping his son's services and I realize that doesn't implicate Newton or devalue the season that he had. However, it remains to be seen how much Newton knew about his father's actions. Newton will be in the NFL next year, and in some time in the next year or two we will finally hear the full story. I expect Newton to keep his Heisman, but I think he was at least somewhat cognizant of his father's actions and Auburn may even be hit with some minor sanctions (self-inflicted, of course, to preempt NCAA action).
Auburn is playing Oregon for the NC. I'm excited for this game, although I consider it one of the worst championships in recent memory. This was clearly a year of few, if any, great teams. Oregon played a very weak schedule (not necessarily their fault, when they scheduled a game @ Tennessee, it seemed like a very tough out) and doesn't have a championship defense. Auburn's schedule looks much tougher than it was (thanks to a pro-SEC swing in the polls for the year, not sure the exact # of spots for the SEC, I'd guess that each team is about +3, on average, from where they "should" be). Auburn's defense is also hardly elite. Both have a great win - Oregon over Stanford, Auburn with a big comeback against Bama.
My hunch is that Oregon will win this game, they have better athletes and played in a tougher conference, so they should be better tested. QB play is very important, which is the biggest argument for Auburn, but I don't see the Tigers being able to be balanced on offense, and if Oregon get's a lead, then it will be Newton every play. He can do well in that regard, but I wonder if he can keep up when his defense gives up score after score.
Now for the power poll (as a caveat, I can admit when I'm wrong, Boise was not the best team in the country, though I don't fault them too much for a road loss to a great team).
1. Oregon
2. Auburn
3. Wisconsin
4. Stanford
5. Ohio State
6. TCU
7. Boise
8. Arkansas
9. Oklahoma
10. Nevada
Next five: Texas A&M, Michigan State, LSU, Alabama, Virginia Tech
Not considered: South Carolina
