Auburn Tigers Football: It Was Too Short at the Top, Now Back to Second Fiddle

Just a month ago, the ticker tape fell and Auburn players thrust their arms up into the air with index fingers extended as high as they could. Auburn was No.1.

What a difference a few days make.

Instead of getting to bask in the glow of a championship for the off season, Auburn has already been relegated back to second fiddle status behind Alabama, once again.

Just when Auburn hoped they could parlay that championship into a rare victory over Alabama in the recruiting wars, they came up second again.

This was the best recruiting class in over 20 years and it was still behind Alabama's. And the upcoming season is already a picture of gloom.

Not one competent prognosticator has picked Auburn to finish ahead of Alabama next year. In fact, only Alabama is mentioned when it comes to title contenders. Auburn will be lucky to stay in the top 20.

While Alabama wins an SEC title at least once every decade and basks in the steep tradition of 13 national championships, it is almost a once in a lifetime achievement for Auburn. Their last was in the 50's.

Alabama reigns not only with the most SEC championships (22 and counting.)  The Tide also has the highest winning percentage in the SEC, followed by Tennessee, Georgia, LSU and Auburn.

And the Tigers have only won five SEC championships, the same number as Georgia Tech, who left the SEC almost 50 years ago.

Yes, it was a short reign as kings of the hill for Auburn. Now they go back to doing what they do best: looking forward to brighter days, and a chance to step out of Alabama's shadow.