Two weeks from tonight, the time for talk will finally be over. No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Oregon will settle things on the field in the BCS National Championship Game.

Phillip Marshall, Senior Editor, AuburnUndercover.com

Some question, along with my best attempt at answers:

Will any Auburn players be ineligible for the game?

That’s not a question I can answer just yet. However, there is no indication that rumors that All-America defensive Nick Fairley could be ineligible have any validity. He has not missed a practice.

Will this be the final Auburn game for Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton?

It is widely assumed that Newton will declare for the NFL draft on or before Jan. 15, the deadline for underclassmen to declare their intentions. I hear rumblings that he really has not made a decision and is at least considering returning for his senior season. I will be surprised if, in the end, he doesn’t decide to move on, but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a surprise decision.

Will this be the final Auburn game for Fairley?

I don’t believe there is any question that Fairley will make himself available for the draft and will be a first-round pick.

Will Newton fall victim to the “Heisman jinx?”

Numerous Heisman Trophy winners have struggled in bowl games, but I’d be surprised if Newton becomes one of them. He’s overcome every obstacle so far. If winning the Heisman is an obstacle, I expect him to overcome that one, too.

Who will have the most difficulty with a long layoff between games?

Both teams are in uncharted waters, having last played on Dec. 4. The team that is the least affected will certainly have an advantage, but there’s no way to say which one that will be.

Has Oregon played a team as physical as Auburn?

Stanford is a physical team, but not as physical as Auburn. Other than that, the Ducks haven’t played anyone close to as physical as Auburn.

Has Auburn played a team as fast as Oregon?

Oregon might have more speed across the board than any team Auburn has played, but not by much.

How will Auburn’s defense deal with the pace of Oregon’s offense?”
It won’t be easy. The Ducks play faster than anybody Auburn has played. The Tigers should be able to deal with it better than most because of the pace of their own offense. They can get a better look in practice than most.

Who should win?

I’ll have a prediction before the game, but I’m not ready to say just yet what that will be.