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Think back five years, to Texas’ thrilling 41-38 win over USC for the national championship at the Rose Bowl, one of the top finishes of the BCS era.

Cam Newton remembers it well. The Auburn quarterback, the winner of this season’s Heisman Trophy, watched it unfold that January night. This week, he has been asked about it nearly every day, as media have compared him with the championship’s hero, Texas quarterback Vince Young.

“Watching that game, it really raised the bar for any national championship,” Newton said. “Is it a fun game to play in when it’s real close? no. But to watch one, it just keeps everybody on the edge of their seats. But as a player, I’m not hoping for one of those games.”

For perhaps the only time this season, Newton might be out of luck. For sports fans, Monday’s BCS National Championship Game between no. 1 Auburn and no. 2 Oregon at University of Phoenix Stadium is a must-see event.

Two undefeated teams, two prolific offenses – and an outcome that’s incredibly difficult to predict, which has made tickets incredibly difficult to find. According to reports, $300 tickets are going for thousands of dollars.

“How cool is that, that this game has become that big?” Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. “I mean, this is great for college sports. it is awesome for college football.”

The contest has multiple story lines, the biggest defensive-centered. How does Auburn stop the fast pace of Oregon, which features the nation’s highest-scoring offense and its most-prolific running back, LaMichael James? and how does Oregon stop Newton, the first SEC player to amass 2,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards in the same season?

“We can’t simulate Cam Newton. no one can,” Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. “No one has a scout player that can simulate him.”

Fittingly, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit thinks the game will be decided with defense.

“I think both defenses are tired of answering all of our questions about, ‘Golly, how do you stop Cam Newton? Have you ever seen a player this big?’ ” he said. “For 30 days, they have been getting asked that question. They’re tired of it, so they are going to play with their hair on fire.

“Same thing with the Auburn defense. ‘Boy, have you heard about this tempo with Oregon? How are you doing to stay with this tempo?’ I think both defenses are tired of answering questions about (the score) being 55-53. they have a point to prove.”

The SEC has history, winning the previous four national championships. it has produced a confidence – some would say arrogance – that this simply is Auburn’s turn, the next man through a revolving door belonging to the nation’s best conference. The Tigers, however, have tried to downplay such an angle.

“I wouldn’t put it like that,” linebacker Craig Stevens said. “The competition is tough in the SEC as well as the Pac-10.”

The Pac-10 and Oregon have the karma of the underdog, which has won six of the previous eight BCS title games.

“Everybody wants to make it out to be an SEC-Pac-10 matchup, but it’s really not that way,” Oregon’s James said. “We want to go out and compete for Oregon. We want to win for us.”

Auburn has arrived with resilience. it has survived an NCAA investigation into an alleged pay-for-play scam involving Newton. On the field, it came from behind to win eight times, an incredible feat.

Oregon has arrived with focus. One task, one moment, an approach that’s impressive because of its simplicity.

“We stand for three things,” Kelly said. “Playing fast, playing hard and finishing. We’ve done it with 12 opportunities.”

Only one more awaits.

BCS National Championship winners

BCS Championship gamesJan. 7, 2010 — Alabama 37, Texas 21Jan. 8, 2009 — Florida 24, Oklahoma 14Jan. 7, 2008 — LSU 38, Ohio St. 24Jan. 8, 2007 — Florida 41, Ohio St. 14

BCS Championship bowl gamesJan. 4, 2006, Rose Bowl — Texas 41, USC 38Jan. 1, 2005, Orange Bowl — USC 55, Oklahoma 19Jan. 4, 2004, Sugar Bowl — LSU 21, Oklahoma 14Jan. 3, 2003, Fiesta Bowl — Ohio St. 31, Miami 24, 2OTJan. 3, 2002, Rose Bowl — Miami 37, Nebraska 14Jan. 3, 2001, Orange Bowl — Oklahoma 13, Florida State 2 Jan. 4, 2000, Sugar Bowl — Florida St. 46, Virginia Tech 29 Jan. 4, 1999, Fiesta Bowl — Tennessee 23, Florida St. 16

BCS Championship battle between Auburn, Oregon a must-see treat