This may be Auburn's problem!!!

Again, I'm no Auburn hater and I wish all this never happened. I know everyone has an opinion about how this rule works or what the NCAA has or doesn't have and such. But in the end, even if nothing can be traced cash wise to Auburn or if they knew anything, Newton's eligibility decision should and will be based on the NCAA's mission to insure fairness and limit any actions which may allow schools to gain an unfair advantage. Thats why you have scholarship limits, recruiting rules, and financial monitoring. If these were not in place, schools with practically unlimited funds such as Notre Dame, USC,and Michigan for example can grab all the top players leaving very few for others.
In this case, and this is just my opinion, I think the NCAA may determine that if its indeed true Cecil was shopping Cam around, if he said "its not going to be free this time" , then that is a violation. I know-you're saying "no shite". Well, Auburn-even without knowing benefitted from that violation. If a deal was offered to MSU, if they were told in order for Cam to sign a LOI, it was going to take xx amount to get him and MSU refused,(as they should have)the NCAA may conclude that Cam's advice from his dad to attend Auburn was based on the fact MSU refused to pay and Auburn-even if they did nothing wrong in the recruitment process- benifitted from this.

Now, according to the column written by Andy Staples:

Quote:
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So far, Auburn has not been implicated in the pay-for-play scheme. But by the letter of the NCAA's law, an athlete is ineligible the moment a rule is broken. Even if Newton didn't know about his father's request, this is the word the NCAA put out Thursday: "The solicitation of cash or benefits by a prospective student-athlete or another individual on his or her behalf is not allowed under NCAA rules," NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn wrote. It is up to the athlete's school to declare him ineligible and apply for reinstatement.
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As you can see, the NCAA has made it clear this is a violation. I think this is what the NCAA is trying to figure out.
Now you may ask why is the FBI really involved in this case? Its because this could be looked at as a form of extortion which is a federal crime and now anyone involved could be subject to jail time.

The dust hasn't settled in this one yet!!!