OT Lee Ziemba, Auburn (6'8, 310) -- Too much of a lumbering giant to play on an island in the NFL. Struggled to lock on to defenders on the second level. Got blown up by McPhee on a short-yardage play early in the game.

DT Nick Fairley, Auburn (6'5, 298) -- Inconsistent results; sometimes he'd dominate double teams, other times he'd be pushed back five yards by one blocker. Seemed to get that extra burst when he was near a ball-carrier, so it might be a stamina/effort issue. Oddly, he held the point of attack better against doubles than when single blocked. Not a big pass rusher -- he plays like a nose, but doesn't stuff the run as well as you'd like.

QB Cameron Newton, Auburn (6'6, 250) -- Physical tools are incredible; he runs like someone 40 pounds lighter. Passing-wise, he's unrefined. On the interception, I'm pretty sure Mississippi State was in cover three but he stared down the receiver too long, then took too long to throw the ball. His second touchdown pass was a nice ball against cover two zone, but more a result of bad defense than anything (linebacker opened up a passing lane when Newton glanced at the running back in the flat -- it was third and goal from the 12).

Often drifts backwards a little when throwing and his accuracy was spotty. I'm not sure there's a back-up quarterback here (and he won't be able to play running back, either) but he's talented enough to keep an eye on.

DE Pernell McPhee, Mississippi State (6'4, 285) -- Quite athletic for his size: Mississippi State used him as an inside linebacker at one point (smooth drop into coverage too)! Moved well laterally, showing great speed when he made Newton pitch the ball on an option and still chased down the running back for a two-yard gain. Relied a bit too much on rip moves inside, a tendency Auburn exploited by running into his vacated gap.

OT Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State (6'6, 305) -- Looks the part of an anchoring tackle but didn't play like one. Long wingspan lets him wall off speed rushers and he slides his feet decently. Shows terrible power in the run game. Linebackers put him on his butt a few times and he whiffed on several blocks (once, on a freaking double-team).