HC Bryan Harsin (Todd Van Emst/Auburn Athletics)

The drive that ended with the only touchdown of the Auburn-Texas A&M game on Saturday summed it all up.

Auburn got the ball back, down by six points, after its defense held Texas A&M to another frustrating field goal for the home crowd. Tank Bigsby opened the drive with a 10-yard carry — not a monster run, but a sliver of hope on a Saturday that didn’t have much of it.

The next play, Auburn tried to dial up a flea flicker. But Bo Nix wasn’t able to control the pitch back, and he was forced to throw it away under pressure.

The ball security mishap foretold doom.

On the next snap, Nix fumbled the ball under even more pressure. Texas A&M scooped it up and scored. The Aggies were only up by two scores with most of the fourth quarter left, but it still felt insurmountable.

Auburn’s 20-3 loss at Texas A&M is the ultimate missed opportunity of the 2021 season — a chance for the Tigers to beat a highly ranked opponent away from home and still be in …