It’s officially rivalry week, and the Auburn football team is preparing for the biggest game of the year when they head to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl. The best rivalry in college football, the game means a little more for the Tigers this year, and a little less for the Tide.
While Nick Saban’s team has been dealt two losses already this season and for the first time in years are unlikely to be under consideration for the college football playoffs, the Auburn football team is rolling into Tuscaloosa with an Auburn man as their head coach and a bowl game on the line.
There is no doubt that there is a different energy surrounding this team in the second half of the season, and there has been ever since the program parted ways with Bryan Harsin. Cadillac Williams has been able to lead the team to two important wins, and has united the Auburn family behind the five-win team.
However, the majority of conversations having to do with Auburn football revolve around who will be the next official head coach of the team. Lane Kiffin is undoubtedly the favorite at this point in time, but there is still a large faction of people clamoring for the interim tag to be removed from Coach Caddy’s title, including Roy S. Johnson from AL.com:
"Carnell Williams made it simple. He made it simple in the blink of an eye. He made it simple by reminding us that while coaching is strategic (Xs, Os, play-calling whatnot matter), while it is CEO-like management, while it’s walking into a kid’s home and persuading momma that you will take care of her gifted son better than anyone else. That while coaching is all that, it is, at its fundamental core, inspiring young people to believe. In themselves and their teammates. In their coaches. In sacrifice."
While it would be a feel-good story to emerge from this season with Cadillac as the head coach, it’s likely that he doesn’t even want the job yet. Being a head coach is a massive commitment, and Williams hasn’t had any sort of experience. He deserves the utmost respect and to be honored by Auburn fans for what he’s done for the program this season, but we must admit that it’s okay if Cadillac Williams doesn’t end up as the head coach just het. He’s on his way.