National Championship - Oregon vs. Auburn (-2) -

(Preview by Jeff Popelka) Gene Chizik has finally resolved a question that has long divided football fans. He provides conclusive proof that it is impossible to separate the quality of the coach from the quality of the players the coach has at his disposal.

Chizik was a controversial hire when he was lured away from Iowa State after two horrendous seasons in Ames. Having compiled a record of 5-19 with the Cyclones, many of the Auburn fans felt that his record there was more indicative of his talents than the play of the defenses that he coached at Auburn and Texas.

Fast forward to this season, and we see an 8-5 Auburn team from a year ago transformed into a powerhouse with the addition of a single player, Cam Newton. While I wouldn’t argue against the notion that a bad coach can lose even if they have a talented team, Chizik proves to the world that if you want to win, talent is the a prerequisite.

Fortunately, the other team in this matchup has already fulfilled their prerequisites, and the Oregon Ducks bring a vast amount of talent into this game as well. Leading the nation in points, the offense that Chip Kelly has installed at Oregon is not just a schematic advantage. He has also recruited a fantastic collection of athletes to populate this system, and the Ducks execute more precisely than any other team in college football.

Given this pairing of offensive juggernauts, it stands to reason that this game will actually hinge on defensive performance. In that area, the nod has to go to Oregon.

Even though the Ducks offense plays at light speed and almost always concedes the battle over time of possession, the Oregon defense still ranked twelfth in points against. For their part the Tigers rank a much less impressive 54th in points against, even with a more deliberate offense.

Don’t misunderstand, neither of these defenses is going to pitch a shutout. The question is which team will be able to get enough stops to allow their offense to win the game.

With that in mind I’ll take Oregon. The line for them ranges from -1.5 to -3, so get as many points as you can and take the Ducks. Then enjoy the only bowl that really matters. War Ducks.

(Preview by Ben Miraski) So this is it, the 100-point championship game. At least it seems that is what we will be getting given the offenses that will be taking the field.

What no one is talking about are the defenses that will be out there.

Sure Auburn’s pass package looked very beatable. And that was the main reason a certain prognosticator here went against them every time a strong passing team faced them.

But Oregon isn’t known for being a passing team. The Ducks will put the ball up, but their bread and butter is LaMichael James and the running game.

Auburn has done a pretty good job of shutting down strong running games.

And when Cam Newton is on the field, Oregon’s defense will likely step up. The Ducks were 25th in overall defense this year, and Auburn was susceptible to strong defenses.

In games against Mississippi State, LSU and Alabama, Auburn had to scrape for every score that it got. Against Oregon, it should be any different.

There will probably be some big plays, but it won’t be the all-out score fest that people have been expecting.

It might start that way. Look at the way the Rose Bowl. A huge first quarter by both teams when the opposing defenses had been tough all season long. It just took some time to settle down.

So don’t be surprised when there are 30 points on the board early, but this one should end in a chess match. And one big play will likely decide it all.

While I will be rooting for Auburn (despite my pick below and the computer’s counsel), my head says this one is Oregon’s. Take the Ducks and the points.

MRI Pick	Expert Picks	Winner
65.03%	Oregon: Popelka, Darst, Congrove, Forde, B. Miraski	22-19
	Auburn: A. Miraski, McCabe, Dodd, Harris, Van Pelt, McShay