Anything more than 5 or 6 wins this year is hoping for too much too soon.
That's not survivable long-term for Chizik.
Last year, Auburn was picked to win the West. Most haven't forgotten that.
Some, like me, rightly point out that with a kick against Vandy, one stop against LSU, one stop against Ole Miss and one completion against Georgia and you're looking at a 9-4, 10-3 team brimming with confidence (and staff continuity) coming into 2009.
On the other hand, Auburn was also one stop at MSU and a timely fumble against Tennessee from eating a 3-9 turd sandwich.
Luck will play a part in it. Alabama was 11-0 in the regular season because it avoided injuries and the injuries it had came at opportune times. Georgia was not so lucky.
A couple of injuries at the wrong times and Auburn will have some major problems. That's not Chizik's fault.
It is his fault that the next road game he wins as head coach will be his first. I don't see a single road win on the schedule for him and that's going to be a major problem.