I wrote this early in the morning so please forgive my grammar and/or lack of coherent thought:

It is seasons like this one that either brings out the best or the worst in a fan base. Thus far, I have seen the worst from the Auburn “family.” I put family in quotation marks due to the fact that we are not acting much like a family right now. I recently graduated with my second degree that reads Auburn University on it. I have been going to Auburn games from the time I could walk into the stadium. In those days I did not always walk out; I usually got a ride on my daddy’s shoulders. I have missed three games at Jordan Hare since I was four years of age. I am currently on a thirty-eight consecutive game attendance streak. I have been very lucky during this time span. I have experienced some of Auburns best seasons; we have gone undefeated three times. I have also witnessed Auburn go through a few disappointing seasons. My parents and grandparents have seen much worse. I shudder to think how our fans would react today if we had another Barfieldesque era.

Personally, I do not measure my or my families accomplishments against others accomplishments. I focus only on us. Our fans appear to be overly concerned about other teams in our state and our conference. We are not Alabama or any other team. I thank God for that every day. We are Auburn. We are one of a kind; there is no other place like it on earth. We should all take solace in that fact.

I understand the frustration our base currently feels. I am also guilty of occasionally criticizing our team. I do so in private. Many fans are on message boards, forums, radio shows, and anywhere people will listen, airing our dirty laundry. Some feel it is time for a coaching change. People are entitled to their opinion, but it is better to keep your opinion to yourself when it is absolutely ludicrous. Does anyone really think any legitimate coach would assume the position from a program that fires their coach two years removed from a conference and national championship? At the absolute minimum we must give our coach at least one more year to turn this thing around. If not, no sane person would ever assume the job.

There was a considerable amount of grumbling when Gene Chizik was hired at Auburn. Personally, I was elated when his name was announced. Chizik exemplifies what an Auburn man is. He cares about his players and he truly loves Auburn. With that said, people do not like being wrong. Those same people who disagreed with his hire are the first ones calling for his head the first moment something went wrong. I have to wonder if he is able to get Auburn back on track, and I think he will, will those same people still never truly accept him. Will they continuously try to find faults?

I know I cannot change the way our current base feels. I do hope that the Auburn fans start acting like a family again. We must ban together during these difficult times. Our team faced hardships and tragedy in the off season. They are still growing up. They need us now more than ever. Give it more time. At the end of the day all we have is each other. I know I STILL believe in Auburn and love it. Do you?