Gene Chizik and Auburn may not have been able to finish the upset against No. 2 LSU at home, but Chizik just might have earned enough to coach another year.

Les Miles and LSU came out victorious in the Tiger Bowl, but with a final score of only 12-10 the "Mad Hatter" had plenty to sweat about.

It wasn't the win that Auburn was hoping for, but it may be something of a moral victory nonetheless.

Up until this game, a feeling of doom and gloom has settled over Auburn. Even the Auburn faithful have been questioning Chizik's ability despite the fact that their Tigers won the 2010 national championship.

It's already been a tough year for Auburn—they lost to Clemson by seven and were then beaten by Mississippi State by the tune of 28-10. 

Auburn's lone win of the season hasn't inspired much confidence as the Tigers needed overtime to escape from Louisiana-Monroe.

The most common whisper these days against Chizik is that he was only able to win the championship in 2010 thanks to Cam Newton. Fans all over the state of Alabama are questioning if Chizik can ever make it back to the national championship.

While Chizik and Auburn certainly aren't out of the woods yet, this valiant effort should help bring some hope back to the Tigers.

Auburn's defense can hold its head high after holding LSU to only 12 points. No one has held LSU to less than 40 points thus far all year.

Granted, LSU's victims were North Texas, Washington and Idaho, but it's still a remarkable accomplishment nonetheless.

But Auburn has an awful long way to go on offense.

Auburn only managed 183 yards and nine first downs. Sophomore Kiehl Frazier continues to struggle; he went 13 for 22 for only 97 yard passing and two interceptions. 

Yikes.

Still, Auburn can use this close game to rally the troops and hopefully salvage the rest of the season. The Tigers have winnable games against Arkansas, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M coming up. However, they also have No. 5 Georgia and arch-rival No. 1 Alabama still looming large on the schedule.

While some may not buy the whole "moral victory" thing, imagine what would have happened if LSU had routed Chizik and Auburn. Mark my words, the whispers about getting rid of Gene Chizik may have turned into shouts.

Make no mistake: Gene Chizik is far from the hero status he enjoyed when he lifted the crystal football after beating Oregon for the national championship. But tonight's near-miss just might help get enough goodwill to save his job.

Well, at least for a little while longer.