While choosing TJ Finley to lead Auburn football against his former team in the stadium he once occupied the home locker room in seemed like an obvious choice to some, clearly, it wasn’t in Tigers HC Bryan Harsin’s cards.
Bo Nix will be starting under center as AU looks to snap a 22-year winning drought in Death Valley in what should be some less than ideal conditions with the rain pounding here in Baton Rouge.
Needless to say, Tiger fans aren’t thrilled in the slightest by this decision.
Dejection, disappointment, and dreams being crushed were the themes on Twitter after the announcement was made:
Game over. Auburn loses. By 40. Bo Nix throws 6 pics. https://t.co/bw4IwTNjel
— Justin Nicosia (@justinnicosia20) October 2, 2021
Idk how you continue to send Bo Nix out there to start the game. If you have to pull him this game, he should be done for the year.
— Auburn Football Review (@ReviewAuburn1) October 2, 2021
The willingness by Auburn coaches to lose with Bo Nix is something we’ll talk about for years.
— Shanks (@Shanks205_) October 2, 2021
https://t.co/h9bklQ4i6G pic.twitter.com/1GiA1W0MhR
— William Luke Hendrick (@WilliamLH21) October 2, 2021
Quite frankly, this decision–paired with an earlier decision this past week to relieve Cornelius Williams of his WR coach duties–could have serious ramifications for Harsin and co. if things backfire on Saturday night.
If it weren’t for TJ Finley, the 2021 Tiger Bowl wouldn’t have nearly the luster it does because AU would be 2-2 after one of the season’s worst losses to Georgia State. His late game comeback, sealed by a TD in the final minute, single-handedly saved the 2021 Auburn football season.
Now, it will be the man Harsin yanked just a week ago going out and trying to earn the first Auburn win in Baton Rouge of the new millennium.
Deep breaths everyone…