Add one more incident to the long list of controversial decisions made by the NCAA.

Auburn QB and Heisman candidate Cam Newton is safe and sound from an NCAA violation that would have prevented his participation in leading the Auburn Tigers in the BSC National Championship game against the Oregon Ducks.

Last week, the NCAA briefly ruled that Newton was ineligible to play in the SEC Championship game against South Carolina because of a violation connecting him to allegations against his father Cecil Newton.

It was confirmed that Cecil solicited a payment in the amount of $180,000 from boosters affiliated with Mississippi State University to secure his son’s commitment to their football program.

However, the NCAA decided to reinstate Newton the next day because no direct evidence was found linking him to his father’s solicitation and Cecil’s payment scheme didn’t work out as planned because Newton ended up in a Tigers uniform.

Athletically, Newton has been a clear cut Heisman candidate all season long, leading the undefeated Tigers (13-0) with an unbelievable numbers: 28 passing TDs, 20 rushing TDs, the most efficient passer rating (at 188.2) and only six interceptions to date.

Even the allegations involving his father didn’t pose a psychological burden for Newton as he proceeded to dominate South Carolina 56-17 in the SEC Championship game. He had six TDs (four passing and two rushing), 424 total yards and no interceptions.

Newton leads the four finalists in the quest for the Heisman Trophy, competing against LaMichael James of Oregon, Andrew Luck of Stanford and Kellen Moore of Boise State.

Newton and James will have an opportunity to face off when the Ducks host the Tigers in the BCS National Championship game on Jan. 10. ...