« on: January 02, 2014, 02:02:42 PM »
Auburn could overcome worst record to win national title in 53 years
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Modern college football has never seen a rollercoaster four years quite like Auburn's. From first to worst and back to first again?
Under Gene Chizik, Auburn went from 14-0 in 2010 to 3-9 in 2012 -- the worst record within two years of a national title since the Associated Press poll began in 1936. Chizik became the first major college coach in 50 years to be fired within two years of winning a national title. He was replaced by Gus Malzahn, who can now make his own history.
If Auburn defeats Florida State, the Tigers will have overcome the worst previous-year record to win a national title in 53 years. Minnesota was the AP and United Press International champion in 1960 after a 2-7 record in 1959.
(Note: Notre Dame followed a 2-7 1963 season by being named National Football Foundation national champion in 1964. The title is recognized in the NCAA record book, but Notre Dame doesn't claim the championship. Alabama was the AP and UPI champion in 1964.)
Minnesota won its 1960 championship in Murray Warmath's seven year as the team's coach. The previous year, the Golden Gophers had suffered their third straight losing season. They lost by an average of 6.8 points in 1959 and only defeated Indiana and Vanderbilt.
Auburn could win a national title in Malzahn's first year as coach. Last year under Chizik, Auburn lost by an average of 9.7 points and only had victories over Louisiana-Monroe, New Mexico State and Alabama A&M.
"Coach Malzahn actually said it (before the season): 'We're going to have the biggest turnaround in college football,'" said Auburn running back Tre Mason.
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"Hey my friends are the ones that wanted to eat at that shitty hole in the wall that only served bread and wine. What kind of brick and mud business model is that. Stick to the cart if that's all you're going to serve. Then that dude came in with like 12 other people, and some of them weren't even wearing shoes, and the restaurant sat them right across from us. It was gross, and they were all stinky and dirty. Then dude starts talking about eating his body and drinking his blood...I almost lost it. That's the last supper I'll ever have there, and I hope he dies a horrible death."