Iron Bowl 2011: Auburn's Wild Season Would Be a Success with Win

The No. 24 Auburn Tigers have not won more than two games in a row this season; the latest two-game win streak would make their season if they can defeat No. 2 Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

Remember, the Auburn Tigers are defending National Champions. That has been lost in the great seasons both No. 1 LSU and Alabama have enjoyed, not to mention the roller-coaster ride the Tigers have been on.

It all started in Week 1, when the Tigers were almost upset by Utah State. They followed that up with another narrow victory over then No. 16-ranked Mississippi State.

As you take a step back and look at Auburn's schedule, they beat the teams they were supposed to beat, won a couple that were in doubt and they only loss to quality teams.

Four road losses in hostile environments, against good teams: Clemson, Georgia, Arkansas and LSU. Hence, they sit at 7-4 and this has been an awesome coaching performance by Gene Chizik.

To lose Cam Newton, Nick Fairley and the rest of the departing players from a National Championship and to still be 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the best conference in the nation, is impressive.

The Iron Bowl is one of, if not the most intense rivalry in the country. It will be just that much more intense with everything on the line for Alabama. If they win, they are in the National Championship and Trent Richardson likely wins the Heisman trophy.

If they lose, Auburn will ride into a bowl game, happy that they thwarted their arch-rival's attempt at a second National Championship in three years.