8:30 PM ET ESPN: #2 Oregon 12-0 vs. #1 Auburn 13-0 (-2) - The National Championship will feature two teams that are very similar. Both Oregon and Auburn like to use an uptempo style offense to wear down their opponents. RB LaMichael James, who led the nation in rushing (152.9 ypg) and was second in rushing TDs (21), is their main weapon. The rest of the rushing attack includes QB Darron Thomas and RB Kenjon Barner, both of which averaged over 40 yards a game. The Auburn run defense is big and physical (see Nick Fairley), so it'll be interesting to see how they matchup against Oregon's speed rushers. As a unit they've only allowed three teams to average more than 4.0 yards per carry against them. The most vulnerable part of the Tigers team is their pass defense, which has been burned multiple times this season, especially by teams with big physical wide receivers. Oregon doesn't have any WRs of that ilk, but they do have an experienced corps of pass catchers. The Tigers DBs can not be lulled into thinking about the run on every play or senior WR Jeff Maehl will burn them with his speed. If Thomas can get the passing game going, Auburn will left guessing and gassed in the second half of the game. For Auburn, it's all about Heisman Trophy winner, QB Cam Newton. Newton ranks 1st in QB passer rating (188.15), 1st in yards per attempt (10.5), 6th in completion percentage (67.1|PERCENT|), 14th in rushing (108.4 ypg), and 3rd rushing TDs (20)… in sum, he's a duel threat. Like Auburn, Oregon's defense is good against the run, but it remains to be seen how the Ducks will fair against Auburn's big, physical offensive line. If they can handle their size, they'll still have to deal with the stable of RBs that the Tigers have and rotate in. Michael Dyer leads the bunch with 73.1 ypg, while Onterio McCalebb averages 58.7 yards a game with his elite speed and home run hitting ability. The Ducks will likely commit to stopping the Tigers run game and force Newton to step back and pass. WRs Darvin Adams, Terrell Zachery, and Emory Blake will have to step up like they did in the SEC Championship game. In the red-zone the Ducks must account for TE Phillip Lutzenkirchen, who has only 13 catches on the season, but 5 of those have been for TD. But in the end, all roads lead to Newton, who has yet to be shut down this season. Expect a great game that has the potential to be a shootout (Vegas o/u is 73.5). Chip Kelly is 0-1 in bowl games, while Gene Chizik is 1-0.
Ducks Offense: 537.5 ypg (2nd), 6.8 yards/play (9th), & 45.9|PERCENT| 3rd Down (22nd)
Pass: 232.2 ypg (48th), 7.9 ypa (28th), 62.0|PERCENT| comp. (38th), 29 TDs, & 7 INTs
Run: 305.3 ypg (4th), 6.13 yards/carry (4th), & 42 TDs
Tigers Defense: 362.2 ypg (54th), 5.3 yards/play (50th), & 37.3|PERCENT| 3rd Down (38th)
Pass: 250.5 ypg (105th), 6.9 ypa (53rd), 62.7|PERCENT| comp. (97th), 23 TDs, & 10 INTs
Run: 111.7 ypg (11th), 3.49 yards/carry (20th), & 16 TDs
Tigers Offense: 497.7 ypg (7th), 7.5 yards/play (2nd), & 53.1|PERCENT| 3rd Down (3rd)
Pass: 210.5 ypg (69th), 10.5 ypa (1st), 66.7|PERCENT| comp. (10th), 29 TDs, & 6 INTs
Run: 287.2 ypg (6th), 6.20 yards/carry (3rd), & 41 TDs
Ducks Defense: 331.6 ypg (25th), 4.5 yards/play (8th), & 33.5|PERCENT| 3rd Down (10th)
Pass: 214.0 ypg (56th), 5.7 ypa (6th), 53.5|PERCENT| comp. (10th), 13 TDs, & 20 INTs
Run: 117.6 ypg (16th), 3.33 yards/carry (14th), & 11 TDs
I'll be live blogging the game tomorrow night, so show up and chime in.