So 5 weeks erases 3 1/2 years for you? Look, everyone is on Cloud 9 about what just happened. But 5 short weeks ago, the only discussion on this board concerned a list of potential names to replace Gus Malzahn. Nobody is saying fire Gus. The few of us slowing our roll are asking to see this type of coaching throughout next year and beyond. Not demanding wins like this every week but knowing our coach maximized the potential of his team. He's done that in maybe half the games this year and served up two shit sandwiches. Just glad he "figured it out" at the right time.
Which leads me to a question. Just what is the difference? Did he say screw it and I'm running what I did at Tulsa? (I have no idea what he ran there). Did he turn it all over to Chip and let him run with it? Did he and Chip find a way to collaborate and double-team the schemes and play calling? It has to be one of the above.
Another question. Guess who is suddenly one of the hottest, up and coming offensive minds in college football, and who could easily bolt for a Mid Major?
No. Not at all but I think this is where we as fans become a little egregious and simply lay all the blame at the feet of Gus. When you take a more objective view, you start to notice some things.
The way 2014 ended was a product of a defensive collapse, pure and simple. Hell we scored 44 in the Iron Bowl, lost by 11, and gave up close to 40 points a game in those 5 losses. What does Gus do? Within 3 years, delivers one of the best Auburn defenses I've seen in my 39 years.
I think many will agree 2015 and 2016 were the product of terrible QB play/injuries to the QB position. Throw in a suspect route tree sometimes and we were shutdown against quality defenses. We will never know how those 2 seasons ended if Sean would've stayed healthy. Would AU have won the SEC? Doubtful but ask Jimbo down at FSU what its like to play the season without your QB. Of course today, here we are, with the best QB in the SEC and outscoring SEC team by an average of 41-19.
Not that they even truly matter (besides being an ego stroke for us fans) but go ahead and take an objective look at our 2 losses. Auburn played the defending NC and currently the new #1 team in the country (also the 3rd AU has played this season) on the road. Hell many might just look at that alone kind understand a loss happening. Yet, Auburn was also without Kerryon, had a banged up Pettway and a QB who had 3 starts in his career along with not having played in a game in almost 2 years. Throw in a new OC just 1 game into the season and you can kinda see why we lost 14-6. Of course after the loss every Auburn fan (myself included) didn't give a shit about any of that. We were just pissed Auburn didn't win and went with the good ole' screw Gus.
Auburn fans (again myself included) did the same after the LSU game too. Nobody said shit about losing Tre William, Tray Matthews, and 3 guys on our O-line after we got up 20-0. Nope all everyone need see was the stat about running the ball 17x on first down and it was time to burn it all to the ground. Now I still agree that the offense got conservative way too early but looking back on how damn ferocious this defense is, can you sit here and tell me Gus was a damn fool to think they could hold a 20 point lead?
Like I said, I was pissed as anyone at Gus after that LSU game, but I was wrong in thinking this guy isn't one hell of a coach. Hes definitely a top 10 coach. Wins it all this year and it can easily be argued hes top 5. I'd bet money, they are 12 other schools in this league, along with roughly 120 FBS schools that would've hired him yesterday if they thought he'd go there. To think Auburn could easily replace him or needs to be cautious about increasing his buyout to much is arrogant as hell honestly.
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