Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare was a low-point for Auburn football, dating back many years and several coaches.
The Tigers led 28-3 in the first half of their 11 A.M. matinee against Mississippi State before allowing 40 straight points to ultimately fall 43-34.
Sure, there was a bogus targeting call on T.D. Moultry that submarined Auburn’s chances of coming back once the Bulldogs had taken the lead. But this loss puts the entire season in perspective as the SEC Championship and CFP are now relevant thoughts for the 2022 season.
Is Auburn football defensive coordinator Derek Mason now on the hot seat?
The Bryan Harsin era has already seen early coaching dismissals, with WR coach Cornelius Williams being let go after a near-meltdown Week 4 loss over Georgia State that would have dropped them to 2-2.
Derek Mason is an easy fall guy after his defense was so thoroughly picked apart by Will Rogers, who threw for six touchdowns and 415 yards through the air.
Tiger fans have already taken to Twitter to make him such:
Hey Mississippi State, your team played their ass off. Hats off to you and your fans. I love your coach.
— Auburn A-A-Ron (@SarcasmAndMore) November 13, 2021
Derek Mason, I’m a big fan of being kind. But 🖕🖕🖕🖕. You are horrible at your job. 43 unanswered. Some were because of bad calls. Still a shit job.
Damn sure can’t pin this one on Bo Nix. Took some hits today and naturally had some drops in here too.
— Pablo Escobarner (blue chek) (@PabloEscoburner) November 13, 2021
1) Derek Mason
2) Offensive Line
3) Special Teams
4) #TheRefs
There’s your order of blame. pic.twitter.com/nUYgvgGr6I
Does Derek Mason get fired tomorrow or at the end of the season?
— Shanks (@Shanks205_) November 13, 2021
Fire Derek Mason.
— We ridin in a Iced out Caddy ❄️ 🧊 (@Auburn_Tigers1) November 13, 2021
The spotlight is shining on the Tigers defense now as they head to Columbia, South Carolina next week to take on a Gamecocks squad that could end the day with the same record as Auburn.
If things don’t improve on that end, Mason better pray the offense compensates for it, because the calls to replace him will grow louder otherwise.