It's simple. Cam was thought to be a heavy Miss State lean at one time. Rogers takes a gamble and makes the offer independent of the Newton's. After all, the Miss St. people saw them together on the official visit (which would be illegal itself if it can be shown Cam didn't pay for it). Cam changes his mind and picks Auburn. Rogers gives the money back and thinks, hey, it was worth the risk.
At this point Miss St. can't turn him in, because they'd be admitting their own guilt. Rogers is a former Miss St. guy, and this is exactly the kind of thing that can turn allies against each other (Rogers and Bond). Even if he doesn't give the money back, Miss St. can't report him (but might have him taken out by the Mafia :biggrin2
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The hitch to this is that I doubt Miss St would just fork over $180,000 without somehow verifying that he is actually representing the Newtons. But it is possible. Consider that Mississippi State isn't being any more forthcoming than Auburn at this point. What they have come forward with was a leak to the media that is still shrouded in mystery. Mullen is saying the same thing Chizik is.. "I can't talk about it yet". They could just as easily be in trouble, especially if you buy into the idea that Urban is behind this, as many Auburn people do. Why would Miss St. leak a story that might implicate them? Pressure from Mullen's old boss Urban that is even more damning if they don't leak it first? On Finebaum today, Thammel (NYT writer) refused to deny that Urban was involved. I didn't hear it, but those who did said his silence was deafening.
Another angle Auburn people have suggested is that Miss St. offered Cecil the money and he called foul ball and told Cam "It's Auburn". Obviously, Auburn fans would like to think this is true. But if this were the case, I don't think the Newton's would be silent right now, unless there really is a gag order.
Just playing devil's advocate...
