Growing Pains, Or a Look Into The Future?

As this season began back in September, there were emotions galore running through the hearts and minds of Auburn faithful.

From excitement to despair, optimism to apprehension; if you could name it, there was an Auburn fan out there feeling it.  I like to think that I fell somewhere near the center of the emotional spectrum.

I was a little shell-shocked when I heard of the Chizik hiring.  Not happy, but not exactly crying in my beer, as the other candidates weren't what I thought of as marquee names.

As the season has progressed, I think I have been subconsciously chalking Auburn's mental miscues up to youth and lack of depth.  I could even live with using the "it's a new staff" excuse/reason.

After watching the Auburn-Georgia match-up Saturday night, I'm not so sure.  I'm not saying I've jumped ship and want Chizik and staff gone.  However, I will stop and look at all parties involved the next time I see an Auburn team stumbling over its own feet during a game that should be put away by halftime.

I first began to entertain the new idea midway through the second quarter. After scoring touchdowns on two of the most seamless AU drives I can remember, the Auburn offense sputtered and shot themselves in the foot repeatedly. 

Not only did I notice the penalties, I noticed who was committing them.  They weren't the true freshman and first year starters that I'd been chalking things up to all year.  Nope, plenty of veterans jumped off sides, moved early on offense, and simply didn't seem to know what was REALLY going on out there.

As you all know, this continued throughout the game, with perhaps the biggest miscue coming on the final drive to attempt to tie the game. These penalties, along with seemingly directionless sequences during the game, have me wondering if there is a lack of discipline (between the white lines) that has no place at this level of football. 

But looking at the total body of work, are they not "who we thought they were?"  For every Georgia, has there not been a Tennessee?  For every Arkansas, a West Virginia?  Kentucky/Ole Miss? 

So, are the tigers so young and inexperienced that we have to give them some leeway?  Or is it time to look over their heads and see if this undisciplined, directionless in-game execution is coming from the top?

As much as I still believe the future is bright on the Plains, my optimism is not quite as near-sighted as it once was.  Still optimistic, but the kool-aid's getting warm.