Quick thoughts... I’m to the point now where I think the Gus Malzahn era has run its course at Auburn. However, I don’t think there’s any chance it ends this season because of finances due to the pandemic and the buyout is still freakin’ huge.

I also think Malzahn COULD be right about next year. This season his brand new OC didn’t get to work with his players in person until the fall. The OL was starting to look good and then has been dealing with injuries to a great starter out for the year and BOTH starting tackles

The defense is young and had to deal with losing two first round picks. Ideally we would have others waiting behind them, but that didn’t work out this year. And there were injuries that hampered some that COULD have stepped in (like Handy)

Plus the best linebacker has missed basically all season and that put one of our others playing out of position. And one of the best DBs, Simpson, has been hurt a lot too.

Is there a chance that maybe Stove or Flash sticks around? I doubt it. But another year and spring/fall of working together could help the OL, Capers and Hudson could be great WRs, and then there’s Frazier, Pegues, and Calcaterra at TE. And Tank (and Godwin could still sign)

So there is absolutely reason for optimism for next year - barring injuries - if Morris is able to get a full actual off season to work with them all. Especially if he - who has proven ability to work with QBs - can fix Nix’s footwork issues.

All that to say that if Auburn doesn’t move on this year, next year is absolutely a “do or die” season for Gus. Either Auburn has an awesome year, breaks the Baton Rouge Curse, competes for a title, etc. Or he’s gone.

And who knows, maybe the school will encourage him to go the Dameyune Craig route and “take another job elsewhere” to save face rather than having to fire him and lay a lot of monet. I doubt that works though, because LOL WHY TURN DOWN THAT MASSIVE BUYOUT?

TL, DR: I don’t see AU making a change this year, but honestly only because of the pandemic hurting finances & that ridiculous buyout. I have a feeling we’re in the market for a new coach next year. I really like Gus as a nice guy who is a great person, but it just hasn’t worked