BCS National Championship Betting Line
The article below was for the 2011 BCS National Championship. When we get close to the 2012 BCS National Championship game, we’ll update this post with team & player profiles, betting lines, and our free prediction.
Could you get a better match-up to decide the 2011 BCS National Championship? The top ranked Auburn Tigers (13-0) against second ranked Oregon Ducks (12-0), the nation’s number one offense against the country’s best player, Cam Newton. The pregame fireworks and customary jet fly over will be the start of the pyrotechnics Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. Kick-off for the 2011 Tostitos BCS National Championship Game is set for 8:30 pm EST, where Auburn is a slight favorite. Auburn is favored by 2.5 at Sportsbook.com, and 3 at the Bodog Sportsbook.
2011 BCS National Championship Betting Lines
| Sportsbook | Point Spread | Money Line | Over/Under |
| Bodog.com | Oregon +3 (-125)
Auburn -3 (+105) |
Oregon: Off Auburn: Off |
73 (0: -115) |
| BetOnline.com | Oregon +2 (-110) | Oregon: +110 Auburn: -130 |
74 (-110) |
| Sportsbook.com | Oregon +2.5 (-105) | Oregon: +115 Auburn: -135 |
73.5 (-110) |
| Bookmaker.com | Oregon +2 (-110)
Auburn -2 (-110) |
Oregon: +110 Auburn: -130 |
74 (-110) |
| PlayersOnly.com | Oregon +2.5 (-105)
Auburn -2.5 (-105) |
Oregon: +115 Auburn: -135 |
73.5 (-110) |
| BetUS.com | Oregon +2 (-110)
Auburn -2 (-110) |
Oregon: +110 Auburn: -130 |
74 (-110) |
View all of the latest college football betting lines.
Auburn Tigers vs Oregon Ducks BCS National Championship Preview
Looking at these two teams’ results this year, the numbers read like basketball score lines. Oregon’s top ranked offense (49.3 points per game) put up 72 on New Mexico, 69 on Portland State and 60 on UCLA. Auburn blitzed Arkansas for 65, Chattanooga for 62 and then ripped the Razorbacks for another 56 in the SEC Championship game. Auburn had several close calls on their run with a one point win over Alabama plus three point wins over Kentucky, Clemson and Mississippi State. Only Cal came close to spoiling the Duck’s unbeaten parade as Oregon squeaked by 15-13.
The match-ups appear almost even but the key will be – can the Oregon defense contain Auburn star Cam Newton? The Tigers junior led the SEC in rushing with an average of 108.4 yards per game. Mind you, he is a quarterback. He led the nation in passing efficiency with a 188.2 rating and stands as only the third player ever in major college football history to score 20 touchdowns rushing and passing in the same year. Was there any doubt who should have won the Heisman Trophy this year?
Oregon’s defense was solid ranking in the top 25 nationally allowing only 331.5 yards per game. They averaged almost 3 sacks a game as well so look for them to pressure Newton from the opening play. Newton’s size (6’6” and 250 lbs) enables him able to see over most rushing defensive linemen as well as making him a load to tackle. Auburn uses him like a short yardage back on third downs and his speed is surprising in the open field. Often he can make the first player miss a tackle and gain extra yards on his own.
Auburn this season has struggled early as teams have game planned well to defend Newton. Alabama got out to a 21-0 lead before falling 28-27. Georgia was up 21-7 at one point before fading in the second half to lose 49-31. This is testament to Newton’s ability to change the flow of the game and adapt to what defenses try to take away.
Offensively, Auburn has other weapons too. Tailback Michael Dyer ran for 950 yards this season and five touchdowns while Onterio McCalebb had an average of 8.6 yards per carry and nine scores. Wideout Darvin Adams caught 48 passes for 909 yards and seven touchdowns. Running or passing, Newton is the key to Auburn’s national title hopes.
On the other side of the ball, it’s almost a given that Auburn won’t stop the Ducks. Oregon’s offense shows many looks and a lot of speed. Quarterback Darron Thomas leads the attack and has Heisman Trophy runner-up LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner in his multiple set backfield. James ripped out 1,682 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns averaging a whopping 6.0 yards per carry. Barner averaged almost a half yard more and tacked on 519 yards and six scores. When Thomas throws he has been efficient passing for 2,518 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. And he also rushed for 492 yards and five scores; great numbers for a quarterback in any other year. Jeff Maehl and D.J. Davis are his favorite targets with 68 and 36 catches respectively. The duo combined for 15 touchdowns this year.
Auburn has the nation’s 54th ranked defense in points against but no matter as they had the fourth ranked offense. The Tiger defensive is still formidable and can put pressure on the passer. Led by defensive tackle Nick Fairley, Auburn tied for 19th in the nation in sacks with 32 this season with Fairley registering 10.5 on his own.
The 2011 BCS National Championship will come down to a game of possession and field position. Oregon’s quick strike attack will need to eat up some of the clock to give Newton and Auburn fewer possessions. Special teams will set up the play and turnovers will be critical.
Auburn Tigers vs Oregon Ducks Prediction
Auburn is favored by 2-3 pts, but beware of the Duck. It will be close but look for the Tigers to win and cover late. I’m taking Auburn -2 (-110) at BetOnline.
