Confidence can be a fleeting thing. Without it, excelling in any athletic pursuit or, really, any pursuit at all is often difficult. So, will Auburn players be confident when they go on the road to play Missouri today? They certainly talk like they will be.
The massively frustrating way Auburn has gotten to 2-4 is, in the eyes of players, a reason for confidence. They are convinced they should be 5-1, maybe even 6-0. And they believe they are good enough and talented enough to turn that around in the second half of the season.
It starts today against Missouri, which is 5-1 but has not been impressive in getting there. For Auburn, it is an opportunity. It is an opportunity for Missouri, too. With a win Missouri will, by hook or crook, be 6-1 and still dreaming of finding its way into the College Football Playoff.
But Missouri’s confidence might be a bit shaken, too, after suffering a 41-10 beatdown at Texas A&M two weeks ago…