re: Auburn could have hired Kirby after the 2012 season.

quote:

---

Difference is A rental player named Cam newton and 2 miracles were required for au. Not sustainable.

---

I agree Gus' Year 1 was not quite as impressive as Kirby's Year 2. Yes, they needed miracles to win two big games. But most folks don't want to admit that the "miracle" against Alabama was simply avoiding Overtime. Even without the Kick6, Auburn was headed to OT with all the momentum against the #1 team in the country. So you can't just disqualify that win for Auburn and act as if it was no big deal.

As for the Hail Mary, yes, it was a miracle. But they did kick our tail for the first 3 quarters.

I believe Gus deserves much credit for his 2013 season. It was shaky at times (loss to LSU, 4th Quarter against Georgia, etc.), but Auburn did beat Alabama and followed it up with a win over a Top 5 team in the SEC Championship Game against Missouri.

Even still, what Auburn accomplished this season might be even more impressive. They came up a game short, but Auburn has nothing to be ashamed of going 10-3, winning the SEC West, all while playing one of the more difficult regular season schedules any team has played in recent memory. They beat Georgia and Alabama. Lost to Clemson in Death Valley by single digits. Eventually they wore out and were beat soundly by us in Atlanta.

I do believe Georgia is the better overall team this year. But Auburn was without a doubt the best team in the SEC West. Better than Alabama. Alabama may have made the Playoff, but Auburn is the better team. If a coach manages to have his team playing as the best team in the SEC West in his 5th season, then that program is doing quite alright, IMO.