'The Second Decision"

The news broke yesterday that Auburn quarterback Cam Newton will be eligible for the SEC Championship and potentially the National Championship. This decision by the NCAA came 24 hours after Cam Newton was declared ineligible by Auburn University, but I would like to note that nobody really knew that Newton had been declared ineligible. The fact that Newton was declared eligible by the NCAA brought to the surface that he was declared ineligible by the University. Now that was have that all clarified he is my take on the situation. I totally disagree with their decision and here is why:

1. As USC AD Pat Haden stated "In the Reggie Bush case, when the parent [did] something inappropriate the kid and the school suffered, I was always told the parent is the child, that's what we've been telling our kids. If the parent does something inappropriate the child suffers the consequences." Bush did not take money when he was at USC his step-father was the one who setup everything. Due to the Bush incident USC had to vacate wins, a national title and a Heisman trophy. The two instances are not identical since money was never exchanged, according to the finds so far, in the Newton case but it was in the Bush case. You can see though how Haden has a valid point.

2. It has came out that during his recruitment Cam Newton stated that he wanted to play for Mississippi State. This would make sense since he was recruited by Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen out of high school to play for Florida when Mullen was the OC there. So, if Cam Newton wanted to play for Mullen and Mississippi State so bad why did he go to Auburn. Its not like Auburn was a national power at the time and was guaranteed a trip to the SEC Championship or a shot at a National Title. One word MONEY.

The NCAA has opened Pandora's Box with this ruling. For years to come they will have to explain why this ruling was made and how it is ok for parents to shop their kids around as long as money is not exchanged.

My biggest problem with this and then it will be dropped is do you really think that the NCAA would have immediately made Newton eligible if Auburn was 5-7 or even 9-3. This was done to keep Auburn in the hunt for a National Championship. If Auburn does not go this opens the door for TCU to come and play the Ducks, most likely. Having a non-AQ school in the NCG is not what the old timers at the NCAA want I promise you that.