Tough Times On The Plains Of Auburn: Why The Season Has Gone South

Its amazing how events transpire over a single season.  From the highs of pre-season accolades to the lows of sitting at a 4-5 season, this has been just one of those bad years for the Auburn Tigers.  Fans are disappointed, but not nearly as disappointed as the players.  Why has the season gone like this you ask?  I present a few observations I have seen this season:

1. Hiring Tony Franklin was a mistake.

Yes, the Chick-fil-a Bowl got me excited about the spread just like much of the fans, but it was a false indication of things to come.  That spread was led by a senior quarterback in Brandon Cox.  We had two quarterbacks fighting for the starting job, and neither had a good amount of experience to back them up.  The spread is built around this position.  Completely uprooting the offensive scheme from last season was not the best idea either. 

2. One quarterback should have started the season.

I am aware that Chris Todd did earn the starting position early in the season, but Kodi was always ready to go in if things went awry.  The fact that Todd's shoulder was not fully healed should have been an indicator not to put the young man in a position for failure.  But he's a competitor, much like the rest of the squad, so one has to admire that.

3.  With all the offensive turmoil, the season is just now starting for the offense.

Auburn is just now getting the hang of playing on the same page.  It's tough starting the season right in the middle when your already behind the eight ball so to speak.  Against Ole Miss, Kodi Burns made errors of a typical first year starting quarterback.  Its just frustrating to everyone cause its almost the end of the season, and our backs are against the wall. 

4.  The defense is completely banged up.

The defense played admirably in the first half of the season.  All those hard hits however have caused several injuries.

The latest defensive injuries include a possible broken hand for defensive lineman Mike Blanc, Tez Doolittle (groin), defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (ankle), who played two plays in the second half of Saturday's loss to Ole Miss; defensive end Antonio Coleman (two bad ankles), linebacker Josh Bynes (deep thigh bruise), linebacker Craig Stevens (turf toe), linebacker Merrill Johnson (hamstring), cornerback Jerraud Powers (hamstring), cornerback Neiko Thorpe (ankle), defensive end Michael Goggans (ankle). Linebacker Tray Blackmon (wrist) is out for the rest of the season.*

5. Lady Luck hasn't been on Auburn's side.

Besides the West Virginia loss, all the other losses have been ten points or less.  It seems its always one play here, a turnover there, a penalty there.  It has been more frustrating cause when it looks like Auburn has something, something negative completely derails the momentum for Auburn (the penalties and interceptions in the Ole Miss game as latest examples.)

*Taken from The Gold Mine blog on al.com.

So what should be taken out of this?  I offer a few opinions:

1. Firing Tuberville would be a bigger mistake at this point in the program.

As much that has gone wrong this season, getting rid of Tuberville after the season will further put this program into turmoil.  Tuberville has built a solid record as the Auburn head coach, and he has top-notch recruits that will hopefully be coming into Auburn next season. 

2. Give Auburn time to get it together.

Some fans won't give this to the guys.  I will be the first to say that it may not happen this season, but it could happen.  I believe the team needs a confidence boost more than anything else.  They have shown at times they are a good football team. 

3.  Winning Amen Corner

This is a big if right now, but IF Auburn does pull together in time, they could very well win against Georgia and Alabama.  Those two teams are not invincible by any means.  Even if Auburn beats just one of the two teams (here's hoping its against Bama), it gives them momentum for the off season.

The end looks grim for Auburn.  It is hard to say if they will make it around in time as the season draws to a close.  But make no mistake now Auburn fans, our season is these last three games.  Lets be there for those players and coaches.