Final thoughts: Who really knows what to expect from Auburn tonight?

The Auburn football team plays at Mississippi State tonight and it’s safe to say that most Auburn fans are one of the following: nervous, skeptical, optimistic, pessimistic or downright unsure what to expect.

It’s OK. You’re not the only ones.

I was speaking last night with a friend who happens to be a Mississippi State fan. I told him that I have no idea what to expect tonight. He said the same. And I always thought of him as an eternal optimist when it comes to Mississippi State football.

But after two consecutive losses after the Bulldogs got as high as No. 15 in the AP Top 25, they’re shook. Much like Auburn fans, they’re confused why the offense suddenly can’t find its way.

That’s why tonight is a very big opportunity for Auburn football.

Already today, No. 7 Oklahoma has lost. No. 6 Notre Dame plays at No. 24 Virginia Tech later tonight. With a win, Auburn likely moves up to at least seventh in the polls.

Big deal, right?

That’s correct. But if Auburn can turn around things and play a good game and start rewriting the perception of this team, good things can continue happening.

This game — along with Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Liberty — are games the Tigers should win. These games (minus the Liberty matchup) are the ones that Auburn can make adjustments and find its way. Because ultimately, it should come down to the road games at Georgia and Alabama.

That’s a big should right now.

Until the offense can find some rhythm. Until the offense line consistently can block defenders. Until the running backs can pick up tough yards. Until Jarrett Stidham can keep Auburn out of third-and-long.

Until those things happen, the games against Mississippi State, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Texas A&M have the potential to be nailbiting, closer-than-they-should-be contests. That’s not to say that any of them are guaranteed wins, but the Tigers should be favored in each of them.

You’re a critic of the extension Gus Malzahn received?

That’s fine. But let’s see what he and his coaching staff do from here out to justify the 7-year, $49 million contract. There’s not a single thing that we’ve seen, suggested, thrown our arms up in disgust about that Gus and Chip Lindsey haven’t been over a hundred times.

OK, so maybe Auburn didn’t need to open up the playbook against Arkansas. Maybe it didn’t need to unveil a trick play against Southern Miss. No, those things weren’t needed to beat those teams.

But we can’t help but wonder: Could Auburn have done more if it really needed to? Is this offense capable of moving the ball and scoring when it really needs to? Because it couldn’t against LSU.

Mississippi State has a very good defense. It should be tough for Auburn to move the ball and score points.

But it sure would be nice to see Auburn defy expectations this week.

Wouldn’t it?