ISU bowl eligible? But, nobody can win at ISU.....
Nobody does, not for any legnth of time. One season? Sure. Did Chizik win his first 2 years? Nope? Has he proven he's NOT a 5-19 coach? Well by the standards YOU apply in making your smart-assed post, he's beat it by a long shot and is a "winning coach". He's not, but this "one year makes or breaks the coach" thing with some fans is ridiculous. Alll the talk like Greg Shchiano suddenly can't coach anymore because his record isn't as good as 2007 or when ever he was "the hot name". All the "bet Auburn is glad they didn't hire Turner Gill now" talk because he didn't do as well this year. No coach is defined by one season.
Did Chizik contribute to Rhoades success? In some way I'm sure he did, but Rhoades gets the credit for coaching them this season. I half expected Rhoades to be a good HC, and probably wouldn't have minded Auburn hiring him near as much as I minded the hiring of Chizik. At this point, I'd take Chizik though which is NOT to say I think he's suddenly great, but he's proved a few things, and left some questions too.
Bottom line is this...it IS a matchup made in heaven FOR THE MEDIA...for the story line. Auburn would have nothing to gain other than an 8th win, and lots to lose if they lose the game, and an entire off-season about how Auburn went to ISU to hire a loser coach when a winner was already in the fold and got taken by ISU. And though it will hurt to hear, it won't mean shit in the long run any more than Schiano's or Gill's record this year defines them this year over year's past. We won't lose recruits to ISU if we lose, nor gain any with a win. And NO, you don't refuse a bowl bid...it's money, AND for the team, EXTREMELY valuable practice time you don't get unless you play in the bowl.
Let it be...it will or won't happen, and Auburn will play who they're matched with. I hope they are up for it, and play well, regardless of the opponent.