The Auburn Tigers are one game away becoming the fifth straight SEC team to play for a BCS National Title. All they have to do is beat a 9-3 South Carolina team in the SEC Championship Game Saturday at 4p.m. at the Georgia Dome on CBS.
Talking to the CBS crew of Verne Lundquist and his partner and lead analyst Gary Danielson there were plenty of storylines that they wanted to explore as they and their sideline colleague Tracy Wolfson prepared for the broadcast.
One of the key points that was not yet know was if the CBS broadcast team would have a chance to talk to Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy leader Cam Newton. It is unlikely that the university will keep him away from the media and the SEC has threatened to fine Auburn if they don’t make Newton available to the media after the game.
Both Danielson and Lundquist said they would love to talk to Newton about the game this week but did expect they would get that opportunity.
Lundquist on Newton:”Last year we had Tim Tebow who we were talking about being the player of a decade. Who knew that a [Cam] Newton would show up and we would have another player of the decade so soon. But there is no doubt he has been the most entertaining player in college football.”
Danielson on the difference between Tebow and Newton:”Tebow was a true power back. He would lower his shoulder and drive through a player. Newton is more of a running back; he can cut and finds openings looking for the long run. He also is a better passer than Tebow, he has a more fluid motion. But Tebow might have been the best leader with the biggest will to win that we have ever seen in college football.”
Danielson on the importance of Newton to Auburn:”I think that Auburn is an 8-4 team without Newton. He is by far the biggest difference maker in college football today. Just look back to the Alabama game they were down 24-0. He did not panic, did not get on the players and he just kept the offense positive and once things began to click for them you could see him kick it into another gear.”
Lundquist on what it would take for South Carolina to win:”We all know the “Old Ball Coach,” Steve Spurrier loves being back in the SEC Championship Game and he will have the team ready. They have a stud, game breaking running back in freshman Marcus Lattimore, a solid big game quarterback in Stephen Garcia and a swarming defense that is tough. If the same South Carolina team that went to “The Swamp” and beat the Gators shows up then they could beat Auburn. I don’t think it will happen but never count out the “Ball Coach.”
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