My Two Cents-Cam Newton wins the Heisman

Newton is all smiles, let's hope the Heisman Trophy stays in his possession forever

I do not know what to believe, but we know that Cecil Newton, Cam’s father, was in the wrong with trying to solicit money from an agent linked to Mississippi State. The dark cloud that hovers over Newton has somewhat dispersed but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth of people across the nation, especially the 105 voters that left him off the Heisman ballot, entirely.

 Newton is a football player, and he should be judged by his performance on the field just like Reggie Bush. Why do we as a society look towards athletes and entertainers as role models; they are not. They have dealt with or been through the very same problems we are going through in our own lives. Young kids need to look up to their parents or relatives as role models. I’m tired of people condemning athletes for their boneheaded decisions, acting as if they can do no wrong. People--we only know the side of them that the media shows--that’s it, nothing more.

It’s unfortunate, what Cecil did, but it has become tiresome with Cam trying to smile his way through it. Its gives the public a sense of Newton trying to be coy and that does not sit well with people or me outside of the Southeastern region. The kid does seem sincere in that he had no knowledge of what his Father did, but he had to know something, right?! Maybe he did or maybe he didn’t. Either way he is your Heisman winner and we just hope that down the road, it will not be taken away from him because of all this.

During his acceptance speech, Newton made me cringe when he said, “My parents do a lot of things behind the scenes that go unnoticed.” Bad choice of words, Cam! You could almost hear those 105 voters snickering at those words. I will give him a pass because you are a ball of nerves up there in front of the Heisman Trust, the audience and the millions on television watching. However, recipients of the Heisman Trophy feel like they need to say something grand or earth-shattering. Why can’t it be short and sweet: thank your Deity, your parents, coaches, teammates, staff, the Heisman Trust, and that’s it?

Everyone deserves a second chance and to the voters that left him off the ballot, shame on you. Each of us has lapses of judgment or screw up. You cannot tell me that those 105 voters that left him off the ballot have not lied, fabricated events for a story or erroneously reported something to create a buzz; it happens and this is the society we live in. But how would this world be, if we did not give people second chances?  We are only human.

If we learn from our past transgressions and mature, who has the right to question or judge that person? If that person is showing resolve and willing to do right, give him or her break and respect them for cleaning up their life. So if it comes to past that Newton is deemed ineligible and the Heisman and National Championship is taken away then you can start heaping your pile of negativity for being duped, but until then enjoy the upcoming bowl season and the BCS title game. However, it would help if Cecil Newton came out and acknowledged his wrongdoings; and his son coming forward and admonishing the horrendous act on his father’s part (would do wonders for his sake); it would show people that Newton is grateful for playing college football and that he respects the University of Auburn for granting him this opportunity. 

Will Muschamp is the head coach of the Florida Gators

Will Muschamp will bring that fiery attitude to Gainesville

What we know:

• No head coach experience. Has served as a successful defensive coordinator for Auburn, LSU and Texas. At Texas, he was the coach-in-waiting behind Head Coach Mack Brown, but who knows when Brown will step down.
• Is known for being a good recruiter and that will help him in his new position. He has met with the recruits coming in this year and has introduced himself. He already has a commitment from the No.1 quarterback for 2011 class (Rivals.com), Jeff Driskel. So it’s very evident that he is not wasting anytime hitting the recruiting trail.
• Is a fiery, energetic person that will motivate his players; it’s easy to fall in love with his infectious personality.
• Muschamp can be successful at Florida with the right staff assembled. It is public knowledge that Major Applewhite, the former assistant coach and running backs coach of Texas, has been targeted as the next offensive coordinator. Nothing has been finalized yet, but sources say he will be the guy. Also Kirby Smart has been targeted as the defensive coordinator. Muschamp and Smart are good friends and this could lead to Smart leaving Alabama and signing for more money in Gainesville.

What we don’t know:

• Who were the other candidates for this job? Dan Mullen (of Mississippi State)?   Charlie Strong (of Louisville)? Chip Kelly (of Oregon)? Bobby Petrino (of Arkansas)?  Jim Harbaugh (of Stanford)?
• How will Muschamp handle being the head coach? With all the meetings, banquets, and other necessary things head coaches have to do, will he handle it well? What about the pressure from the media to perform?
• What will his recruiting classes look like?
• How will he fair coaching against Bobby Petrino, Les Miles, Houston Nutt, Steve Spurrier, and Nick Saban?
• Will the offense change to more of a pro-style offense? Less option-spread attack? Where does QB John Brantley fit into all of this?
• How will he game plan against Cam Newton considering how they tried to steal his spotlight on the day of the Heisman inauguration? There is definitely bad blood between these two programs, especially when reports came out of Florida about academic cheating by Newton. You can be sure he will be fired up to make a mockery of the Gator defense.
• Did Mack Brown’s push Muschamp out of the door?  After a dismal season (5-7), Brown was asked if Muschamp was going to have a say in personnel decisions and Brown soundly said “no.”

They did it: South Carolina goes to their first ever SEC Championship game behind the legs of freshman running back Marcus Lattimore, 36-14

Steve Spurrier is on his way to the SEC Championship game

It wasn’t exciting but no one expected it; no one thought the inconsistent and often manic Gamecocks could knock off the Florida Gators in the swamp but they did. Steve Spurrier got his signature win as head coach --going to their first ever SEC title game and downing the Gators at home (for the first time)--which they never done.

South Carolina was intent on running the ball down Florida’s throat, and they did so with freshman running back Marcus Lattimore, a home-grown talent, to the tune of 40 carries, 212 yards with 3 TDs. Mistake-free football was on the agenda last Saturday night in the Swamp.

QB Stephen Garcia was a modest, albeit unimpressive 15-26, 156 yards, O TDS, O INTs.  All the staff has asked of Garcia is that he does not turn the ball over and that is what he did; his partner in crime, wideout Alshon Jeffrey had no TDs on the night and only had 53 yards receiving, something you would not expect from the best wide receiver in the SEC or the nation, for that matter.

Spurrier could not ask for a better performance from the offense and defense, and especially from Lattimore that has exceeded expectations since his first snap. Who would have thought that Spurrier would have a freshman standout at running back?!  He is known for having and grooming superb quarterbacks, but Lattimore has fallen into his lap and he is willing to ride this kid to a victory in the SEC Championship game.

But I’m here to caution that they cannot beat Auburn in the title game with just running the ball and not passing for more than Garcia did. It will not happen. The Tigers will put up a bunch of points on the scoreboard and will continue until the final whistle. We all know that special player, Cam Newton; he is on a tear this season and he has one victory over South Carolina and he is looking for another one that will bring his team closer to Glendale.

Will Marcus Lattimore be healthy when they face Auburn?

It’s scary to think that Lattimore had 40 carries in the last game. This kid has been nicked up and I can already tell that he will continue to play his career at not a hundred percent. He runs hard and he is a north-south runner and that is fine. However, his style of running and the number of carries will cause him to wear down when they need him. Watching him in high school, ball security was a problem whenever he was over-utilized in a game and so far it has not been an issue, but it might if they continue to run him into the ground.

The Gamecocks have two more games left, Troy at home and @Clemson (their rival). It will be interesting to see how Lattimore is used in those games. You do not want him limping into the SEC title game because that will be a big problem. For South Carolina to flourish they need to open up all facets of their offense, this will make this team unstoppable like they were against then No. 1 Alabama.

Going forward to next season, it will be trying times (for South Carolina) where the departure of Garcia, at quarterback, and the insertion of Connor Shaw, will challenge the staff to not overuse Lattimore with a young quarterback. They will need to find ways to keep him fresh since they will have to rely heavily on the run game with a green quarterback behind center. I’m curious to see if Lattimore will be healthy come his junior year and if the wheels will fall off this wagon.

For now the future is bright for Spurrier and he has a huge game with Clemson and the title game to prepare for. He wanted to play close to the vest against Florida (and it worked) but how will this offense look against Clemson and Auburn? Will being conservative get this program a much needed win over Clemson and a much bigger win against Auburn?

Auburn downs Georgia behind the performance of Cam Newton, 49-31

I do not know what to say, or even how to express how enamored, awestruck, and baffled at Cam Newton. This kid is special, no one knew he would be this special, but I bet Gene Chizik and his staff would tell you they did. I crown Auburn as the best team in the nation, with Oregon escaping a scare against Cal (15-13); there is no doubt in my mind that the Tigers are the crème de la crème.

With all the swirling allegations about the recruitment of Newton to Mississippi State, Newton got it done on Saturday which he has been doing for eleven weeks now. Yeah, people are going to start piping up about Auburn’s luxury of home games this season, not playing defense, and they have to go to Tuscaloosa to play a pretty good Alabama team but for Newton it’s no sweat.

Cam Newton deserves Ric Flair's robe and heavyweight title

Players respond differently to adversity, some fold under the pressure and others rise to the occasion and that is what Newton did and his teammates. Newton made some NFL-type throws on a rope that were beautiful. He was playing with an angry streak, showing the doubters that he is unaffected by all this mess and hubris surrounding him. If there is one thing I know is that you do not want to play against a pissed off Newton, that’s for sure. The Crimson Tide better hope there is no damning reports coming out in the next ten days leading up to their Nov. 26^th showdown.

I’m usually level headed, but I say to hell with defense just score. And that is why I say Auburn will beat Alabama. Make it a track meet and watch the Tigers sink ‘Bama. There is a growing fear that if Newton touches the ball, they are going to score. So all those analysts can talk about Nick Saban telling his boys to run the ball (what running game, I say) and control the clock, but every time you turn it over, Auburn will score. You cannot kick field goals to beat this team and if the Crimson Tide is going to wait for the second half to wake up and game plan against the Tigers it will be too late.

This is Newton’s year (eighth player in FBS history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 2,000 yards passing), and he will seize the opportunity. I know earlier in the season, I compared Newton to Terrelle Pryor and forgive me for that. I had water on my brain. For the record, Pryor wishes he had Newton’s ability. Pryor should be utilizing his size (6’6, 233) in a better manner: bowl over defenders, stiff arm them, and show some true grit! Until Pryor shows urgency at the quarterback position, Ohio State will not play for the national title.

 Newton plays with fervor and moxie that Pryor does not show on Saturdays.  To be a star athlete you got to have a nasty streak and you got leave it all on the field, every time you step out there or why bother lacing up the boots. Newton has that mercurial touch and hopefully instead of turning things to gold, he can make a crystal trophy appear in his hands.

So Kirby Smart and Saban better be ready, bring all your powerful weapons because Auburn will be ready this time and it will be in their favor.  And Alabama’s offensive line better be ready for DT Nick Fairley and friends because they will be coming for blood. 

My Two Cents-Will Auburn play in the SEC Championship game?

Auburn hopes to have the scoreboard read in their favor come Nov. 26th.

Yes, I feel they have the best shot coming out of the SEC West. Auburn QB Cam Newton is just phenomenal. He broke the record for the most rushing yards(in history) of SEC quarterbacks in a single season at 1, 077 yards on the ground, and he has four regular season games left. Before the season started I actually thought that that Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett would make people forget about Tim Tebow but boy I was wrong. I do not think anyone knew how dynamic Newton would be and how much he means to his team. He is clearly the Heisman front runner and if it was up to me, I would give him the trophy now.

Everyone knows that the defense is the biggest problem on this team. They actually gave up only 17 points in this game compared to 43 points (against Arkansas) and 34 (against Kentucky). There are improvements on defense, even though it might be minimal. The cornerbacks need to track and play the ball, how many times have we seen them with their backs turned to the ball allowing wide receivers to make big catches?

The annual Iron Bowl will take place on Nov. 26^th and this will be another game, if Auburn wins, that will define their impressive season thus far. Alabama leads the rivalry with a 40-33-1 record, but I feel this year the Tigers will cause the tide to shift in their favor for the next couple of years. Last season they lost a close game to the Crimson Tide that came back to pull out the win, 26-21; however, Newton was not the quarterback and this brings a very interesting element to this game.

Nick Saban and Kirby Smart will have to dial up inventive defensive schemes to confuse and shutdown the running lanes, so Newton will be forced to pass. We thought, last week, that LSU was going to be that team that took away the holes in the defense for Newton but that did not happen. And that is why I strongly believe that he will continue to have success against Alabama.

The problem with ‘Bama is that this team is better suited when playing with a lead as opposed to being down. For evidence, check out the South Carolina game,  knowing that Auburn will put up points, what will happen if Alabama finds themselves down by 14 points or more? We know Auburn will not let up on the gas pedal once they have a lead so it could get ugly and embarrassing for the Crimson Tide, if they do not keep this game close. I can certainly see the Tigers coming out like gangbusters and then Saban corralling his troops, at halftime, and have them ready for the second half.

I strongly believe that this year belongs to Newton and he will give his all in the Iron Bowl, so there will be no shortage of effort on both teams. But Auburn will make a big splash with a win over Saban’s team and ride into the SEC Championship game on a high, where they could possibly face the Gamecocks again. Momentum is on the side of the Tigers this year with the SEC having a down year, so if Newton does not capture the SEC Championship this year then it will have to be the following year. One must realize that Newton will capture the conference championship before all is said and done for him at Auburn.

Cam Newton tosses his hat in the ring of Heisman contenders

Cam Newton is racing to the finish line in the Heisman race

Cam Newton is special.  I have to admit I was skeptical about him and even compared him to Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State. But after digesting three Auburn games, I can say that he is the real deal. Newton plays with passion and wants it all. When he takes off and run, there is a purpose behind it and he will run over you and juke you out of your shoes. If you want evidence on how dynamic of a player he is--look at the Arkansas game--watch how he eludes, spins, shuffles his feet and flat out breaks ankles. 

 Here I was thinking that QB Denard Robinson of Michigan was going to run away with the Heisman this year. But in the last two games, teams must have some Kryptonite stashed on them because he has looked anything but Superman like. To be successful in college football you must have a good supporting cast; Batman cannot exist without Robin at his side, and Superman cannot take on the likes of Lex Luthor without the Justice League.

I’m calling for Newton to win the Heisman; everything sets up so well for him: Auburn is 7-0, Newton is No. 2 in pass efficiency (65% completion rate), he has rushed for 860 yards, in seven games, passed for 1,278 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions, and most importantly he plays in the SEC, which is the most watched conference in college football.

Sure, they have LSU at home and end the season in Tuscaloosa (Nov. 26), but the Tigers have played the most exciting football this season. And they find themselves week-in and week-out coming back from being down and winning in thrilling fashion. Newton is the reason why, and no longer is he in the shadows of another quarterback (was a backup to Tebow in ’07-‘08). Auburn has a legitimate shot to play for the SEC Championship and go on to the national title game to represent the Southeastern Conference.

However, the defensive side of the ball is a problem. They are ranked 63^rd in the nation, giving up an average of 367.86 yards per game. Yes, this is a major problem but as long as Newton is healthy it’s hard to see this team losing. But it will be interesting to see Auburn’s offense against LSU and Alabama and how they will fare.  Newton can pass the ball; he is not Andrew Luck or Matt Barkley, but he can be effective in the passing game when called upon to. Obviously, he is most dynamic when the tucking the ball and taking off for the end zone.

Gus Malzahn is the mastermind behind Auburn's explosive offense

I have to say if the Tigers get past LSU and Newton is still doing his thing, it’s safe to say they have a good shot of beating Alabama. The way they are scoring it will be hard for the Crimson Tide to match them.

Cam Newton has arrived, and he is playing at a high level and sky’s limit for him and the Auburn Tigers. I know the school was criticized for the hiring of Gene Chizik but it has turned out that he is the right man for the job. And the great staff he has assembled is another key to his success. If I had a Heisman vote, it would be for Newton without a doubt. He means the most to his team than any other player in the nation, and he is the most phenomenal talent on Saturdays. 

Auburn spurns South Carolina, beating them 35-27

My thoughts:
• Cam Newton greatly improved his performance from the Clemson game: Newton rushed for 176 yards, 3 TDs and threw for 158 yards, 2 TDs. There was no indecision when the play called for a designed quarterback run; he ran for the hills and took on defenders, not once did he shy away and run out of bounds. You could tell this kid felt it that night.
• Gus Malzahn’s offense was in high gear in last Saturday night. The hurry-up offense wore down the Gamecock defense.
• Auburn freshman running back Michael Dyer started to show flashes of brilliance: 23 carries for 100 yards on the day. His highest output since Sept. 4th when they played Arkansas State (95 yards).
• The Auburn Tigers have played the most exciting football games in the SEC: Sept. 18th overtime thriller over Clemson and last week’s come from behind win over South Carolina.
• Quarterback Stephen Garcia is the most improved quarterback in the Southeastern conference. He made accurate, long throws against Auburn that were beautiful. He has good touch on this throws.
• Anyone else wondered why he tried to play Tim Tebow and coughed up the ball twice, costing his team the game?! Garcia had a phenomenal day: 15-21, 233, 3TDs, no Interceptions!!! But all that was marred by the fumbles.
• Bad move on Steve Spurrier to bench him for the freshman backup quarterback Connor Shaw, late in the fourth quarter. Shaw ended up throwing two interceptions and sealing their fate. Did Spurrier think the freshman would pull his team through in this crucial moment? Garcia should have been in there to redeem himself and win the game for his team; he deserved it.
• Sophomore wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey is a stud: 8 catches, 192 yards, 2 TDs. I might go so far as to put him up there with Alabama’s Julio Jones and Georgia’s A.J. Green, has anyone seen A.J.??
• I really did not think Auburn would be healthy enough to beat South Carolina after their tough game against Clemson.
• The Gamecocks gave up on the run too early. Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore only had 14 carries, 33 yards, 1TD. Lattimore had a measly 2.4 yards per carry average. This by far was the worst output he has had.
• Auburn has an opportunistic defense that makes plays when it counts: 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions.
• Auburn sophomore running back Onterio McCalebb is one fast player that teams need to account for when he is in space. Seriously how do you game plan for Newton, Dyer and McCalebb?!
• Arkansas visits The Plains on Oct. 16th . This game will be one for the ages, as they say. I hope they have enough wattage in that scoreboard because it will be working overtime.

Auburn downs Clemson in a heated battle, 27-24 OT

I was expecting Auburn to run Clemson out of the stadium; I was expecting QB Cam Newton to have a big day; I was expecting Gus Malzahn’s offense to shred Clemson’s defense but none of these things happened. I tip my hat to Clemson and offer a bow for a good, solid performance. Auburn, by all accounts, won the game but they were very shaky on offense and Newton is still in developmental stages. Newton is the Southeastern conference version of Terrelle Pryor, a tall kid that is a long strider. Newton and Pryor look like they are thinking too much and just not playing the game, have fun guys. Newton was 7-14, 203 yards with 2TDs and 2INTs, hardly spectacular. Newton suffers from the syndrome of relying on his physical attributes to win games. Like Pryor, he makes ill-advised throws and hopes his wideouts will bail him out and Darvin Adams (5 catches for 178 yards and 1 TD) did in this game. But against a better defense those passes would not have been completed and probably run back for six points. If you are a dual-threat quarterback and things are breaking down, run like crazy, show some suddenness, cut through defenders. At times, it looks like once the play is a designed quarterback run, Newton saunters instead of hitting the open holes with authority. Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker was impressive, completing 21-35 for 227 yards with 2 TDs and no INTs. This kid has moxie, after taking a helmet to the middle of the back, to give his team the best shot to win but it was all for naught, as he overshot a wide open WR Jaron Brown in overtime. And a penalty caused a re-kick of field goal that was missed the second time to send Auburn away with a win. I did not expect this game to have so many brutal hits and two players being carted off the field in stretchers. Clemson brought their lunch pail and went to work, giving Newton and his offensive line fits all night. This heavy-hitting game reminded me of the 2007 LSU-Florida game, where Jacob Hester pushed in the endzone for the game-defining touchdown. This game will have repercussions for both teams going forward. Clemson gets a week off to rest before facing a physical Miami team at home followed up by another physical team in North Carolina on the road. The rest of the slate does not look bad, but they will probably wear down after their away game at Boston College (Oct. 30). Auburn, who is my dark horse this season (I’m not giving up on them just yet), has to face South Carolina next at home and face the likes of Arkansas (Oct. 16), LSU (Oct. 23), Georgia (Nov. 13) and @Alabama (Nov. 26). They are fortunate that they have home games against the meat of the SEC teams but in a physical Southeastern conference they will have trouble escaping with only two losses. But who knows, this is college football and like the weather (especially in New England), things can change very quickly.