"You can't get left out of the BCS after you beat the No. 1 team." Jacobs told USA Today. "We have a better argument because we beat the No. 1 team. ... It would be a disservice to the nation if we got left out."
That's what Auburn AD Jay Jacobs said after the Tigers beat Alabama in stunning fashion to finish 11-1 on the season.
Wait, did we say finish?
Unless we missed something, Auburn still has another game to play. And don't think that Missouri's locker room isn't going to be wallpapered with Jacobs' quote before they take on Auburn for the SEC championship.
This isn't a gimme game for Auburn by any means. Missouri is also 11-1—they just beat Texas A&M 28-21, a team that gave both Auburn and Alabama all they could handle before losing. And Missouri ranks higher in our Strength power rating than Auburn.
In all, we'd say Missouri ought to be about a 3-point favorite to win. Auburn has no margin for error here—meaning they shouldn't be giving their opponent any extra help.
That includes boneheaded statements by the athletic director, whose job it is to bolster athletics at the school.
He can argue Auburn's résumé when it is complete. But to put the cart before the horse in a situation like this? Stupid.
There's a slim chance that a 1-loss Auburn, after winning the SEC, could be #2 in the BCS ahead of an undefeated Ohio State—but it's pretty unlikely. So arguing their merits at this point is...well, pointless.
If Ohio State loses to Michigan State, and Auburn beats Missouri, there's no need to even make the point.
But by making it now, Jacobs could actually affect the outcome of the SEC title game, and not in the way he wants.
Bottom line, he should have closed his mouth until Auburn has played Missouri. Then he can put forth the argument and see if it sticks. In any case, when did it become the AD's job to talk up the team? It seems comments from an AD can only backfire—with opponents and sportswriters alike.
But he went ahead and put his foot in his mouth. And Missouri was undoubtedly listening.
Okay, maybe firing him would be a little harsh. He did hire Gus Malzahn after all. But that was a no-brainer—he also hired Gene Chizik. Surely there's someone out there who can make the obvious hires, avoid the bad ones, and keep his mouth shut when necessary?
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