To say that it’s been a rocky season for the Auburn Tigers would be like saying Toomer’s Corner is just another hangout place.

The bumpy road they traveled with former head coach Bryan Harsin at the wheel came to a screeching halt on Halloween. Mired in a 4-game losing streak, the first order of business for new athletic director John Cohen was to set a new course for the football program.

Carnell “Cadillac” Williams was introduced as the Tigers’ interim coach and things went much better. A new enthusiasm took hold within the team. Auburn football was once again the focal point for Saturdays on the Plains.

Williams and the Tigers salvaged a 5-7 season and now wait to find out if they make a bowl game. Auburn is one of several 5-7 teams that could play again, thanks to a shortage of 6-win bowl-eligible teams.

It’s been an eventful season. In no particular order here are the 10 biggest takeaways.

Harsin just didn’t fit

He was a good coach before coming to Auburn and he’ll be a good coach after. But Harsin just didn’t click with the program. From the beginning he wasn’t the guy many boosters were looking for and therefore didn’t getting the backing a head football coach needs to succeed. He’ll have better luck elsewhere.

Williams is a motivator

A breath of fresh air is a good description of the Auburn program once Williams took over as interim coach. The players, who already had a solid work ethic, enjoyed the last 5 games with Williams at the helm. He was an inspiration to the program. As a former Tigers player, he connected with the team and it was better off for it.

Tank Bigsby is a leader

Auburn’s workhorse the past 3 seasons finished in the top 10 each time among SEC rushers. He was the focal point of the Auburn offense this season and didn’t disappoint. The junior was a big-play threat each time he touched the football and this season cracked the top 10 in career rushing yardage at Auburn.

Robby Ashford is developing

Thrust into action this season, the redshirt freshman struggled in the beginning but has settled in as at least a serviceable quarterback. He’s developed into a dual threat, rushing for 108 yards and 2 TDs at Mississippi State. It was Auburn’s first 100-yard game from its QB since Nick Marshall did it, also against Mississippi State, back in 2014. He accounted for 3 TDs in the Iron Bowl, including 2 rushing TDs, the first Tiger to do so in an Iron Bowl since Williams did it in 2003.

Owen Pappoe rebounded nicely

After a stellar sophomore season, Pappoe was slowed by an ankle injury last year. But the Butkus Award semifinalist bounced back this season to lead the team in tackles. He’s the 17th Auburn player this century with more than 200 career tackles. A 2nd-year captain, Pappoe is just the 4th 2-time captain in the program’s history.

Colby Wooden and Derick Hall made a good combination

The pair did damage behind the line of scrimmage, combining to lead the Tigers in both tackles for loss and sacks. Hall, a team captain, is a Jason Witten Man of the Year Award semifinalist. Wooden earned SEC defensive lineman of the week with a 4th-quarter strip sack that helped the Tigers preserve a victory against Texas A&M.

Shenker is Auburn’s ironman

Senior tight end John Samuel Shenker is Auburn’s all-time record holder for career games played at 62. He also holds Auburn’s all-time record for catches by a tight end. Last season, his 33 catches for 413 yards were also all-time records for a tight end at Auburn.

Tip of the hat to Anders Carlson

Unfortunately, an injury cut short his senior season, but Carlson made his mark. He’s 2nd on Auburn’s career scoring list (410 points), 2nd in career field goals made (79) and 3rd in career PAT kicks made (173). That’s good enough for 5th in SEC career scoring and 5th in field goals made. He kicked 5 field goals of 50-plus yards at Auburn.

This team never quits

One thing was steady, regardless of whether Harsin was the coach or Williams the interim, Auburn played tough for 4 quarters. They didn’t always come out on top, but the Tigers made opposing teams earn what they got. Often overmatched in talent level, Auburn gave 100 percent as a team on every snap this season.

Jarquez Hunter is a star in the making

The sophomore averaged around 6 yards a carry this season, and developed into a solid runner. Overshadowed by the excellence of Bigsby, Hunter rushed for 100-plus yards in each of the final 3 games of the season, including 134 yards in the Iron Bowl. He gave a preview of what to expect by rushing for 100-plus last season in his first 2 games at Auburn (against Akron and Alabama State).