Auburn vs. TAMU: The Yearly Defining Moment

Auburn receiver Sammy Smith’s famous strong arm of an Aggie defender in 2015. (photo: USA TODAY)

It seems that every year, the match-up between the Auburn Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies has come to define Auburn’s season. In 2012, it was the moment when everyone realized that Gene Chizik tenure on the Plains was doomed. In 2013, it was Slammin’ Sammie Coates and the realization that Auburn could be a special team after an early season loss to LSU.

In 2014 Auburn had looked to be a serious contender to participate in the first ever College Football Playoff before falling off a cliff. The down turn was precipitated by three late fumbles against the Aggies. The miscues led to four straight losses…