Yeah I didn't mean to imply Minnesota wasn't that good this year. They were very good. Very close to a Top 10 team.
My point was how inconsistent Auburn can be. They beat the Pac-12 and Rose Bowl Champions to start the season, scored the most points ever on Saban's Alabama and officially ended their playoff hopes, and held a historically good offense to their fewest points scored.
However they still finished with 4 losses and lost their bowl game.
Malzahn's Auburn is similar to Harbaugh's Michigan. Almost always good but stuck at 9-10 wins maximum. Could be a lot worse and have been before their tenures, but they can't get over the hump.