The 50th anniversary of Auburn’s first Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan did not transpire to a Tiger victory. In fact, Saturday’s contest against Mississippi State was the largest comeback in college football this season after the Auburn offence stalled out after leading 28-3 with 1:56 remaining in the first half. Playoff hopes ended last week in College Station and SEC West hopes now to end following Auburn’s fourth loss.
Hope is a powerful tool sports fans use in times of uncertainty. In the case of Auburn’s 43-34 loss to the Bulldogs, it feels degrading for players, coaches, and fans to lose in back-to-back weeks. The horizon is fading for a team who falls to 3-3 in conference play, but Bryan Harsin knows this is not the end.
“We have to accept that; we have to go back and work and it’s painful. This loss stings but what are you going to do about it at the end of the day? How are you going to respond? When asked about what’s next and how the team will move forward.
Georgia and Alabama will remain one and two in the CFP rankings while the rest of the conference is left to dry in another meaningless bowl game. It’s a story that’s all too familiar in years gone by with any remaining hope for leaning towards the Iron Bowl. Historically, funny things have happened in late November on the Plains with the Iron Bowl just a couple Saturdays away.
There will be no better attitude than “1-0” every week especially following a loss. A mindset the team has adopted since Harsin became head coach. All focus is currently on South Carolina next week for a chance to improve to 7-4 before coming how to great an in-state rival.
“We’re not going to back down. We won’t quit and these guys won’t quit and these guys on the field will have that attitude and show that next time”. Bryan Harsin on the character of his group.
Auburn won’t be playing for any championship game come November 27th, but they will have a chance to dethrone the crown. As an Auburn fan, not many things bring more satisfaction than watching Alabama lose. This is our reality, and I cannot imagine a better situation looking forward.
Next week, Auburn will visit Columbia in their final road contest of the regular season. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
