Question of the day: Who’s going to win the BCS championship game?

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Writers from around Tribune Co. weigh in on the topic. Check back throughout the day for more responses, and feel free to leave a comment of your own.

David Teel, Newport News (Va.) Daily Press

The ticker says Oregon. Not because of the Ducks’ acid-trip uniforms, Coach Chip Kelly’s point-a-minute offense or running back LaMichael James’ speed. Because the NCAA’s eligibility ruling on Cam Newton, Auburn’s Heisman-winning quarterback, ranks among the association’s most outrageous — and that’s saying something. But the neocortex says Auburn. The Tigers have not only Newton but also immovable defensive tackle Nick Fairley, the Lombardi Award winner as the nation’s top lineman. Plus, courtesy of the Southeastern Conference, Auburn is more battle-scarred than Pacific 10 champion Oregon. Regardless, don’t head to bed early if either team jumps to a big lead. Auburn rallied from 24 down to beat Alabama, and Oregon overcame an 18-point deficit to whip Stanford. Translation: Bet the over. Auburn 41, Oregon 38.

[Updated at 1:42 p.m.

Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles Times

I’m picking Oregon to beat Auburn in Monday’s BCS title game with all the confidence of a freshman on his first day of college. I’m more confident the game will be high scoring than who is going to win. I attended Thursday’s Pac-10 basketball slugfest between Arizona State and Stanford in Tempe and kept wondering whether Oregon and Auburn would outscore both teams. In fact, the final score of 55-41 in favor of Stanford seemed like a possible final score for the football game. Bottom line: No way Auburn’s defense can stop Oregon’s offense, and no way Oregon’s defense can stop Auburn’s offense, so we could be looking at an over/under of 90 plus. The winner: Oregon, 48-45, but hold me to it as tight as you would a beehive. It should, in the very least, be entertaining.

Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

If you are looking for the winner of Monday night’s BCS National Championship Game then look West, young man.

The Oregon Ducks will defeat Auburn and win their first national title. How can you go against the Quack Attack? All season long, Oregon has shown that it has one of the most dominant teams in college football. Their only real challenge this season was a 15-13 win over California on Nov. 13. Other than that, the Ducks have run under, over and past most teams this season.

Everyone will want to focus on Heisman Trophy finalist LaMichael James, but the X-factor in this one could be quarterback Darron Thomas. Thomas has completed 60% of his passes for 2,518 yards and 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. He has also added close to 500 yards on the ground. Look for the Houston native to have a big game and lead the Ducks to a 48-44 victory over Auburn.]

[Updated at 2:29 p.m.

Teddy Greenstein, Chicago Tribune

So who do you like? The school that began the season ranked 22nd (Auburn) or the one that was a 22-1 shot (Oregon) to win the national championship. I’m torn.

I love Oregon’s hyperkinetic offense and how the Ducks used it to crush even the best teams in college football. They outscored Stanford 28-0 in the second half.

But how can you not favor the best team in the SEC, a team with college football’s most dominant player on each side of the ball. Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy –- jinx, anyone? -– and defensive tackle Nick Fairley is both unblockable and unconscionable with some of his late hits.

I’ll take Auburn in a classic: 34-33.]