Auburn has risen to the top of the SEC leaderboard in a number of statistical categories in two seasons under head coach Gus Malzahn.
It all came crashing down in Sanford Stadium last Saturday, Nov. 15, in Athens, Georgia.
Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers' lofty postseason goals were dashed in an uncharacteristic blowout, the worst overall performance of the Malzahn era.
Thirteen seconds better? Hardly. The 2014 Tigers won't even be in the picture for the first playoff.
Auburn's late-season collapse exposed an unsettling reality for Tiger fans: their previous model for success was unsustainable.
The Tigers' defensive deficiencies had been masked this season by an explosive offense capable of putting up 40 points on any given night.
The idea the offense could pull the defense from the fire on a weekly basis was a bit fantastic, but fans believed, if for no other reason than they proved they could do it on most occasions.
But it was the offense that needed saving against Georgia, and the defense was nowhere to be found.
The defense has now surrendered more than 30 points in five consecutive games, a trend that places extreme pressure on the offense to play perfect football.
Combine that pressure with special teams mistakes, such as the ones we saw in the Tigers' losses to Mississippi State and Georgia, and there's little chance for Auburn to overcome deficits.
It's clear now Auburn is not an elite college football team.
No team that tackles as poorly, generates as insignificant a pass rush and commits as many penalties as the Tigers can be considered elite.
It's a shame considering the level of talent on this team. They're certainly capable of being one of the best in the country.
But now the Tigers have been reduced to the role of spoiler.
As much fun as a potential berth in the Outback Bowl sounds, there is only one game left on the schedule that matters: Alabama.
A trip to the SEC Championship may not be on the line, but a victory in the Iron Bowl would still salvage some joy for Auburn fans from an otherwise disappointing 2014 campaign.
What better way for Auburn to end the regular season than spoiling the Tide's postseason dreams?
Eric Wallace is The Plainsman sports editor. He can be reached at sports@theplainsman.com.
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