Auburn and Oregon both passed the last hurdle between their final opponent and a date against each other to determine college football's 2010 national champion.
No. 2 Auburn obliterated any hopes 18th-ranked South Carolina had of a Southeastern Conference title shot by crushing the Gamecocks 56-17 in their playoff game at Atlanta (GA). The difference on paper was junior college transfer Cam Newton, an overnight sensation on the major college scene who has benefited from a strong supporting cast of Tigers around him.
Newton led Blinn College to the 2009 Junior College National Championship, passing for 2,833 yards and 22 touchdowns, and rushing for 655 yards and 16 TDs. Rivals.com had Newton as a 5-star athlete and the No. 1 JUCO prospect. Man, were they right.




