In 2003, we were 2-2. Deflated. Exposed. Overrated.
We scored our only touchdowns of the season against Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky.
We were shut out on primetime television against USC, and we were held to three points by a Georgia Tech team led by Reggie Ball.
Going into week five, we were finished. Talented but poorly coached. Jetgate was being planned. Plotted.
A top ten Tennessee team was travelling to Auburn. Favored to win.
And they lost 28-21.
Auburn then took its unpredictable team to Fayetteville where a top ten Arkansas team was revved up for a big victory. I remember the commentators discussing how the Arkansas student section had showed up three hours early and had been cheering wildly nonstop.
And Arkansas lost 10-3.
In 2007, Tuberville's reputation was depleting. We barely beat Kansas St. Lost to Miss St and South Florida.
We were embarrassed and seemingly falling off the map of college football powers.
We played decently against New Mexico, but the effort wasn't enough to convince anyone that Auburn would have a fighting chance in the SEC that season.
Lou Holtz even promised to run for senator in the state of Florida if we could somehow upset the Tebow-led Gators.
And we won in Gainesville 20-17.
And then we shut down McFadden and Jones in Fayetteville 9-7.
And we took the best team in college football to the last second.
In 2009, we were supposed to still be the same ole 2008 team but worse. Chizik was hopeless. Malzahn was overrated. Our defense was struggling the first four games of the year.
We were underdogs to Tennessee in Knoxville.
And we won. 26-22 with Ben Tate busting through tackles and Eric Berry being on the receiving end of hits all night.
So excuse me for getting excited again about Auburn football.
Let's go beat the hell out of some Gamecocks.
In fact, I expect to see this quite often Saturday afternoon.
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