Christian breaks down BCS tilt -- and takes the Tigers

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Leading up to Monday's BCS National Championship game between Auburn and Oregon, the Nationwide Tour staff caught up with 1995 Auburn graduate Gary Christian and asked him to break down the showdown.

Who do you think will win the game and why?

Christian

"I'm SEC-biased; the conference is bigger, strong and quicker. But Oregon looks great this year and I think they're very similar to an SEC team. Both offenses are amazing so it's going to be a back and forth game. Cam Newton (Auburn's QB) is so versatile and there's no doubt they're going to put a lot of points on the board. Darren Thomas (Oregon's QB) hasn't received as much attention throughout the season but I know he's one of the main reasons.

"Oregon is playing in the BCS Championship so we're going to have to put pressure on him and not allow him time to throw the ball because he will find a receiver. In the end I think it's going to be Auburn's defense that's going to keep Oregon from beating them. I don't want to say a number for the final score because it's tough to predict how well each team's defense will perform. But it wouldn't be fun if I didn't have a final score in mind. I think we'll win 38-31 but like I said it's going to be a back and forth game and it's going to be close."

What do you like about Cam Newton?

"He is the best quarterback in the NCAA. I've only been watching college football here and there for 20 years so to the untrained eye he is the best I have ever seen. But what impresses me the most is that he has performed so well with all the distractions he's dealt with off the field. As a golfer, I know how tough it is to play great golf when things aren't going well off the course. He's battled through a lot of adversity. It wouldn't be all that bad if there was a lockout in the NFL and he stayed at Auburn next season. We'd welcome him back with open arms (laughing), I'm kind of hoping that happens. He has such a great arm and he can run the ball whether the pocket collapses or not. Like I said, to the untrained eye he's the total package quarterback. He's like the Tiger Woods of college football. Prior to Tiger there weren't any guys that had the long game and short game."

Did you try to get tickets to the game? If not, how do you plan on watching the game?

"It's the toughest ticket to get. It would be a once in a lifetime moment to be there for that game but I am watching it at home with my wife, Kimberly. She went to the University of New Mexico and she's not really that big into college football but she has shown some interest in watching the game and cheers for Auburn so I'm excited to watch it with her."

Another Auburn grad, Champions Tour player James Mason, reflected on the season and made a not-so-surprising prediction.

Mason

"The 2010 Auburn football season was certainly a great one for us. The Tigers had big wins over LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and culminated their undefeated season with a terrific, come-from-behind win against arch-rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

"Not to mention, during the season Cam Newton established himself as the best player in the country and was awarded the Heisman Trophy.

"The battle for the BCS National Championship against Oregon should be a very entertaining and great game. I expect a high-scoring, fast-paced game. I don't think either offense will be stopped much, but I think Auburn may have a little more defense than Oregon.

"The score? Here's what I think -- Auburn 52, Oregon 41. And if Peter (Jacobsen, who attended Oregon) is willing, I will make a dinner wager with him on the game."