Utah State vs. Auburn: Gene Chizik Lost Without Cam Newton Under Center

It didn't take long for Auburn to realize just how much Cam Newton meant to their team. All the discussion about their repeat hopes is being put on hold, as Utah State is currently giving Auburn more than they bargained for.

Down late in the third quarter, Gene Chizik finds himself in unfamiliar territory. No longer are repeat aspirations relevant. They need to focus on surviving before they slip out of SEC relevancy.

What’s Gone Wrong?

With no Cam Newton, teams no longer fear Auburn. They lost the best player in the nation and the heart and soul of their team. Losing their best defender in Nick Fairley also plays a role, but without Newton, Auburn doesn't function.

What’s At Stake?

Auburn's entire season is at stake. If they can't turn it around and close out this game, they're in jeopardy of not only slipping in the rankings, but falling out of them entirely. If they can't handle Utah State, they have a a tough road ahead of them when their SEC opponents seek revenge from 2010.

Upset Potential: 10

This isn't a blowout by any means, but to say there is a real possibility of an upset here is an understatement. Utah St. controls their own destiny and they have to like their chances, as they've got Auburn on their heels.

How will voters react?

It's going to be a nightmare for Auburn if they lose. Utah St. is certainly going to be given credit for the win, but this game says a lot more about where Auburn is as a program than how promising Utah St. is.

Will Auburn Come Back?

No. They sorely lack an identity. This isn't a team that is accustomed to having to duke it out with teams like Utah St. They have no one to look to and will fold in the clutch, as the entire team has proven to be completely unprepared for this scenario.

Who benefits most from Auburn's collapse?

The entire SEC. With the most feared team in the conference last year showing that they are vulnerable with a Week 1 collapse, the SEC has to be breathing a sigh of relief. That's one less contender they've got to deal with week in and week out.