Can Auburn, Newton overcome distractions against Georgia?

Auburn, which is playing for everything now, hosts longtime rival Georgia on Saturday (Ch. 2, 3:30 p.m.).

It's a game worth watching for many reasons.

The Tigers (10-0) can clinch the SEC West title and an automatic berth in the SEC title game with a win. If Auburn beats Georgia, the Tigers will play Florida or South Carolina for the SEC title.

The Tigers begin a stretch of Georgia, at Alabama in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 26 and then either Florida or South Carolina in the SEC title game.

Win all three and Auburn is heading to Glendale, Ariz., to play for the BCS national title.

It's not an easy road.

And there are now the distractions on what seem like daily stories about star quarterback and Heisman front-runner Cameron Newton.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik wouldn't address the Newton stories on Wednesday. But he did make this declaration on his conference call: "Cameron Newton will be playing Saturday against the Georgia Bulldogs."

ESPN.com reported last Thursday that former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers allegedly tried to get Mississippi State to make a payment to secure Newton during his recruitment. FoxSports.com reported on Monday that Newton was facing expulsion from Florida over academic cheating. ESPN.com reported on Tuesday night, using unnamed sources, that both Cam Newton and his father, Cecil, talked to two separate recruiters from Mississippi State about a pay-for-play plan.

Newton played at Florida under Urban Meyer, serving as a backup to Tim Tebow. Newton left Florida in November 2008 when he was arrested for purchasing a stolen computer. The charges were later dropped.

Newton's comments this week have been focused on the Georgia game. But will these various reports become a major distraction?

"I'm here to go to school and I'm here to win football games for Auburn," Newton told reporters on Tuesday. "It would be selfish of me to entertain anything that's been said about me because my sole focus is to win this football game coming up on this Saturday."

When pressed to talk about the allegations, Newton remained steadfast.

"I'm not going to entertain something that took place for not three months, for not six months, not even a year, but two years ago," he said. "I'm not going to sit up here and say anything about it, whether I did or did not do it because I don't want to beat a dead horse talking about it. It's not going to affect me, no way, shape or fashion."

Back to the game. Auburn's defense has been very shaky at times this season. Georgia is 4-5, but the Bulldogs have talent, especially on offense with wide receiver A.J. Green. And it's a rivalry game, which can always be dangerous.

Florida hosts South Carolina in Gainesville (ESPN, 7:15 p.m.) with the winner taking the SEC East title. Earlier this week Meyer said that neither he nor any member of his staff leaked information about Newton's academic record while at Florida.

It would be very interesting if Newton faced his former school in the SEC title game with a trip to the national title game on the line.

The Gators' offense has been coming around after a very slow start. South Carolina is coming off a 41-20 home loss against Arkansas. The Gamecocks need to rediscover their defense, which had been playing well. There will also be the subplot of Steve Spurrier coaching a big game back in The Swamp.

Penn State at No. 9 Ohio State (Ch. 7, 3:30 p.m.): In addition to the game coverage, ESPN's "College GameDay" will be in Columbus. Ohio State hasn't been great after bye weeks under Jim Tressel (2-4). But the Buckeyes have owned November under Tressel. On Tuesday, Joe Paterno named former walk-on Matt McGloin as the starter. McGloin, who will be making his second career start on Saturday, has thrown seven touchdowns with just one interception in his last three games.

No. 20 Virginia Tech at North Carolina (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.): Virginia Tech is 5-0 in the ACC's Coastal Division and the Hokies can wrap up a spot in the ACC title game with a win against the Tar Heels - and a loss by Miami. Virginia Tech has a trip to Miami remaining on its schedule. Miami already has a win against North Carolina. So if North Carolina keeps winning and beats Virginia Tech and Miami keeps winning and beats Virginia Tech, all three teams would end up 5-2 with the Hurricanes having beaten the Tar Heels and Hokies.

No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama (ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.): Mississippi State has a pretty solid defense, giving up just 17 points per game. But expect a fired-up Alabama team returning home after last Saturday's loss in Baton Rouge against LSU.

No. 1 Oregon at California (Versus, 7:30 p.m.): Will No. 1 go down? Unlikely. Oregon, even when it plays a subpar first half, can score like no other team in the country. The Ducks had an 18-6 lead over Washington at halftime last week and ended up winning 53-16. Cal's defense has given up 52 points to Nevada, 48 points to USC and 35 points to Oregon State.