You shouldn't be disapointed - non-championship bowl games are meaningless. Some teams take them more seriously and some teams go out and party all week. I think that Auburn just got home from the bar moments before playing the game.
You guys were probably the best team in the SEC at the end of the year. I don't like Tubberville's personality - he seems to rub a lot of people the wrong way but he can coach players up.
You guys could easily be a top 5 team next year as well.
Get Shula an offensive coordinator and some receivers who can catch the ball and the Iron Bowl will, more often than not, be for the SEC West (as it should be).