Newton set to debut as No. 22 Auburn's QB

NCAA Football Betting Lines

09/03/2010 -

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -Quarterback Cameron Newton has been the talk of Auburn since his arrival on campus. He's big, he's mobile and he's a skilled leader who can direct Gus Malzahn's offense to even bigger numbers.

That's the buzz, at least.

Really, the 22nd-ranked Tigers' fans get their first glimpse of what Newton can do with both his arms and his legs Saturday night when Arkansas State visits to open the season.

Closed practices and a limited arsenal in the spring game have left Newton something of a mystery to Auburn fans. Of course, there's always some of that to any quarterback who hasn't started in front of 80,000 or so fans.

``Until you actually get to see somebody in the heat of the battle, there's some questions that we'll learn after the first few games after we get to know each other even better going through those times,'' offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said. ``And he's got a good handle of the offense, but I really expect him each week to get a better grip and a better grasp as we go.''

Newton has waited for this chance since signing with Florida out of high school. He spent last season at a Texas junior college before landing back in the Southeastern Conference, then learned Malzahn's system well enough in the spring to claim the starting job.

``I wouldn't say I'm overconfident, but I'm confident in every single aspect of the game the coaches have put forth to learn, whether personnel or plays,'' Newton said. ``So I'm confident in all cylinders of the game plan.''

This could be a nice first test. Arkansas State has ranked first or second in the Sun Belt in total defense four years running and returns 10 defensive starters, including preseason league player of the year Bryan Hall on the line.

The Red Wolves face a new-look backfield, with Mario Fannin shifting from a hybrid running back/receiver position to the Tigers' starting tailback. Highly touted freshman Michael Dyer also could make his debut.

Arkansas State will unveil an uptempo offense under new coordinator Hugh Freeze that bears some semblance to Malzahn's system. That means both defenses have experience practicing against that type of attack.

``We get an opportunity to see a lot of the stuff they do like our offense,'' Red Wolves coach Steve Roberts said. ``Some of the plays are very similar, but there are a lot of things that aren't similar that we do that Auburn has not done.''

Both teams have new starting tailbacks. Auburn's Fannin replaces NFL second-round pick Ben Tate, and has played diverse roles for the Tigers.

Running backs coach Curtis Luper has already predicted a 1,000-yard season for Fannin.

``It's a good feeling, being able to suit up your senior season and being in a position that you really wanted to play since you got here,'' Fannin said. ``Now is the time to just show everybody that you can fulfill that position.''

Arkansas State's Derek Lawson was slowed by injury last season and managed just 244 yards, a year after gaining 685. He takes over for Reggie Arnold.

``Derek is certainly a weapon for our football team,'' Roberts said. ``He has been very patient and did not have the type of year he would have liked to have had last year because of injury.

``He played in every game, but wasn't full speed. He is full speed now and we are certainly excited about his role as starting running back for our football team.''

For Auburn, the game marks the return of starting safeties Aairon Savage and Zac Etheridge from injuries. Savage hasn't played the past two seasons.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.