The old Gus Malzahn reappears and defeats an old, and Auburn's biggest, rival

It was a classic Gus Malzahn-called play. Jaylin Lucas, a running back, went to line up in a wide-receiver position before returning to the side of Tommy Castellanos.

The Florida State quarterback took the snap, and it was then that Lucas went uncovered on a wheel route for a 64-yard gain down to Alabama's 4-yard line. One play later, the Seminoles were in the end zone. If Auburn fans thought they had seen that play before, it is because they have.

It was another classic Malzahn-called play. Following a timeout due to an Alabama injury, the former Auburn head coach called up one of his what-just-happened-here plays: a reverse to Micahi Danzy that went for 26 yards and set up the game-clinching touchdown, leading the Seminoles to a 31-17 upset of No. 8 Alabama.

It was the Malzahn that Auburn fans loved for so long before eventually souring on him. He was back in his element as the offensive coordinator, not having to deal with all the obligations and duties that come with being a head coach. As many people put it on Twitter/X, Malzahn was in his bag.

There are many reasons for the Auburn faithful to celebrate. The Tigers are 1-0 with an impressive win over Baylor on Friday night, while Alabama was upset by a team that went 2-10 last season. But the main reason Auburn fans should be celebrating is the renaissance, at least for one game, that Malzahn enjoyed by working over the hated Crimson Tide.

It's not the first time he's done it. No, he was responsible for the 2013 Kick Six, the 2017 SEC Championship Game appearance, and the high-scoring 2019 game. We've seen him take the Crimson Tide before.

But this was different. This was the new Malzahn. The gray-haired Malzahn, whom I can speak from personal experience, is more relaxed, and, I know this sounds unbelievable, but incredibly funny. Maybe it was my butt-whopping of him on the golf course this past summer (note: it totally wasn't), but he seemed angry and determined not to let Alabama get the best of him.

After the Seminoles' first drive, he was back to 2010 Malzahn, as if he was calling plays for Cam Newton, who led Auburn to a national title. Castellanos, with all the talk this offseason, backed it up, and so did the Seminoles with speed that the Tide couldn't catch up to.

It was classic Gus. It was him at his best against a school he had battled against so many times. And for Florida State, it marks the beginning of a new era. Even the coach felt like it was old times.

For Auburn fans, it was a delight to watch not only because of who Florida State beat, but because of one of the guys who was behind it.

Classic Gus. We shouldn't have expected anything else.