Here is a good example in why you probably shouldn't make program-changing decisions in September.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn was on the hottest of seats after a 1-2 start to the season, but the Tigers have since turned things around. With big wins over LSU, Arkansas and Ole Miss, Auburn fans can now rejoice with a 6-2 record and a lofty No. 11 ranking in the AP Poll ahead of Tuesday's unveiling of the first College Football Playoff rankings.
That's not all, either. According to SEC football savant Paul Finebaum, Auburn has not only the best shot of all two-loss teams to make the Playoff, but a very legitimate shot when you consider all teams.
"What if Auburn runs the table?" Finebaum said on Tuesday's Sportscenter. "Well, that would include a win at Alabama — that's the No. 1 team in the country. It would be the best win of the college football season. Then, they get into the SEC Championship and win, I don't know how Auburn could be denied."
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While winning at Alabama won't be the easiest task, Finebaum is right about one thing: of essentially all teams that have a loss, Auburn is one of the few that might control their own destiny. The only other team that really fits that bill is Ohio State, as they will have the chance to knock off Michigan at the end of the regular season.
Of course, Auburn as an 11-2 SEC Champ might be the ultimate nightmare scenario for the College Football Playoff. Potentially leaving out an 11-1 Alabama team? What about an 11-1 Louisville team? Where would teams like Washington and Texas A&M fit into this as well?
Luckily there is still a lot of football left to be played, and this will likely sort itself out. However, all the possibilities on what can happen? That is what makes college football so exciting.
