Auburn vs. Florida Atlantic: Tuesday Press Conference

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn talks to the press Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at the Auburn Athletic Complex in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

AUBURN, Alabama -- Auburn coaches and players know all about high expectations and low expectations.

The Tigers were picked fifth in the SEC West by the media in the preseason and given little chance to challenge for the divisional title following a 3-9 season that ended with a coaching change.

Now that No. 11 Auburn (6-1, 3-1 SEC) is playing beyond those expectations and in control of its own destiny following a 45-41 victory at Texas A&M, expectations outside the program have changed.

"We're happy that people think that highly of us," coach Gus Malzahn said. "But we're onto next week. That's our only focus."

Auburn is 11th in the BCS standings and with four conference games remaining, including the home finale against No. 1 Alabama, even defensive end Dee Ford wonders what the Tigers could achieve. "Why not win it all?" he said Sunday.

That's not the message in the locker room, however, as the Tigers prepare to face Florida Atlantic (2-5) on Saturday inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn fans celebrate with quarterback Nick Marshall (14) after the 45-41 victory over Texas A&M at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

"No," Malzahn said. "The only thing we talked about is this week and Florida Atlantic. We're not talking about anything else or thinking about anything else. We're going to keep the same approach. That's what's got us here so far. We have not looked ahead, we have not talked about anything else. We're playing an opponent that is a solid opponent this week."

Is it tough to block out the outside expectations? Yes, it is, but players are trying their best as fans send encouraging messages on social media and surely bring it up to them around campus.

Prognosticators also have higher expectations for the Tigers, whether it's a BCS bowl or contending for the SEC West title.

"We really don't listen to it," defensive tackle Nosa Eguae said. "We didn't listen to it when they were saying negative stuff. We really just try to focus on us, focus on what our coaches are saying and what our coaches are telling us we need to improve and how to improve every day and get better."

Malzahn allowed his players and coaches to enjoy the victory Saturday night. He was asked Tuesday if he finds it harder to sleep these days, and he joked it was a "trick question."

He has also repeatedly said the Tigers have not quite improved to a point of his liking. That stance started following a 30-22 victory against then-No. 24 Ole Miss on Oct. 5.

"I think the mental aspect of college football is very important and I’m happy with where we’re at, but I’m going to say it again, we have not arrived," Malzahn said. "We’re going to take it one game at a time. We need to keep improving."