Top 25 College Football Teams Who Exceeded Expectations the Past 10 Years
Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis (11) scores a 100 yard touchdown on a missed field goal attempt during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn Tigers won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
But they slowly and quietly kept winning, and winning, and winning. And a lot of it was pure luck. It started with a 30-22 win over the No. 24 ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
Then came a 45-41 upset over the No. 7 ranked Texas A&M Aggies in which Johnny Manziel just ran out of time.
After three straight blowouts, they had finally moved into the Top 10 in the polls at No. 7 getting ready to face No. 25 Georgia. That’s where they scored a touchdown converting a desperation fourth down play that was tipped.
Two weeks later was the magical Iron Bowl victory in the Kick Six against the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, and this team was clearly proven to be special. The Tigers then beat the No. 6 ranked Missouri Tigers to win the SEC Championship, and they came extremely close to beating the Florida State Seminoles to win the national championship.
This all came after a 3-9 season, and the magic and shocking turnaround is why they get to be so high on the list.
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Auburn Tigers 2013
Last week: 2013 Record: 12-2
Last rank: No. 2 (Final AP Rank)
In 2012, Auburn fired Gene Chizik only two years after a national championship season due to going 3-9 and finishing last in the SEC. Even with the cupboard stocked and Gus Malzahn returning to be the head coach, there was no reason to believe an immediate turnaround would happen.
So the Tigers started the year unranked, and even after a 3-0 start, a 35-21 loss to the LSU Tigers kept them out of the public eye.
But they slowly and quietly kept winning, and winning, and winning. And a lot of it was pure luck. It started with a 30-22 win over the No. 24 ranked Ole Miss Rebels.
Then came a 45-41 upset over the No. 7 ranked Texas A&M Aggies in which Johnny Manziel just ran out of time.
After three straight blowouts, they had finally moved into the Top 10 in the polls at No. 7 getting ready to face No. 25 Georgia. That’s where they scored a touchdown converting a desperation fourth down play that was tipped.
Two weeks later was the magical Iron Bowl victory in the Kick Six against the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide, and this team was clearly proven to be special. The Tigers then beat the No. 6 ranked Missouri Tigers to win the SEC Championship, and they came extremely close to beating the Florida State Seminoles to win the national championship.
This all came after a 3-9 season, and the magic and shocking turnaround is why they get to be so high on the list.
Next: #1: 2006 Boise State