Gene Chizik: Vanderbilt Loss New Low Point for Auburn Coach

We knew the departure of Cam Newton would have a negative impact on Auburn, but after a national championship in 2010, did anyone expect such a sudden decline? 

After going a perfect 14-0 in 2010 and winning the championship, the Tigers declined to a modest 8-5 record in 2011. 

Now, just two years removed from the 2010 season, Auburn is fielding a team that is completely inept and overwhelmed in the SEC. 

Auburn's only win so far in 2012 came against Louisiana-Monroe, but they have now lost four in a row and are sitting with a 1-6 overall record. 

Needless to say, most of the blame is being placed on head coach Gene Chizik. 

Outside of the 2010 championship season, Chizik holds a modest 17-16 record. As a head coach at Auburn, he has a 15-14 record against SEC teams, but take away Cam Newton, and that drops to 7-14 (according to ESPN Stats & Info via Twitter). 

"

Auburn Under head coach Gene Chizik: 14-0 with Cam Newton, 17-16 without (7-14 in SEC)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 20, 2012"

The latest disaster came against an inferior Vanderbilt team that was able to hand Auburn a 17-13 defeat. 

According to Chizik, the problem was not being able to finish the game. 

"

Auburn's Gene Chizik on loss to Vandy: "Another example of us having a chance at the end to win the game, but couldn't close the door on it"

— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) October 20, 2012"

But considering that Chizik's overall record as a head coach is 36-35, including his time at Iowa State, maybe he's somewhat responsible for his team not being able to finish. Especially since that overall record is 22-35 if you ignore the year of Newton. 

As a result, the fans are begging for Chizik to be sent to the guillotine. 

Next For Auburn in 2012

As bad as Auburn has been, the remaining schedule provides multiple opportunities for Chizik to win his job back...but don't get your hopes up.  

The next game will be against Texas A&M, which was ranked No. 18 before the loss to LSU on Saturday. 

The Tigers will also have a shot at Georgia and No. 1 Alabama. 

More than likely, all three games will result in devastating losses; but with college football, you never know. Perhaps the Tigers will play their way back onto the map.

If you're a realist, then you realize that the best-case scenario for Auburn at this point is a three-win season, with the next two wins coming against New Mexico State and Alabama A&M. 

Although, at this point, Auburn can't even take those games for granted. 

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