The Auburn Tigers are coming off an 8-5 season and a berth in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, but Gus Malzahn is looking for more heading into his fifth year on the Plains.
Of course, Auburn faces some familiar questions heading into the spring. There’s another quarterback competition, and Malzahn has a new offensive coordinator in Chip Lindsey. Star running back Kamryn Pettway also is back after rushing for 1,224 yards and seven TDs last season.
MORE: SEC predictions for 2017
Auburn has reasons for optimism, but will that be enough to challenge rival Alabama in the SEC West?
The Tigers are ranked No. 11 in Sporting News' Preseason Top 25, and here's a preview of Auburn’s 2017 schedule, roster and biggest questions entering the season.
Auburn 2017 football schedule
Sept. 2: vs. Georgia Southern
Sept. 9: at Clemson
Sept. 16: vs. Mercer
Sept. 23: at Missouri
Sept. 30: vs. Mississippi State
Oct. 7: vs. Ole Miss
Oct. 14: at LSU
Oct. 21: at Arkansas
Oct. 28: BYE
Nov. 4: at Texas A&M
Nov. 11: vs. Georgia
Nov. 18: vs. UL-Monroe
Nov. 25: vs. Alabama
Dec. 2: SEC championship game
2017 Auburn recruiting class
Auburn had a composite ranking of No. 11 across four major recruiting sites. Five-star tackle Calvin Ashley – a 6-foot-6, 310-pounder – was the big get in this class.
2017 Auburn roster
Auburn's roster can be found here.
Three things to watch
1. Is Stidham the star QB?
Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham, a former five-star recruit, was named the starter on Monday. Keep in mind Auburn quarterbacks for 12 TD passes in 2016. Stidham had 12 TD passes as a backup with the Bears in 2015. How he meshes with Chip Lindsey will determine whether the Tigers are really a contender for the SEC West, and perhaps College Football Playoff.
MORE: Five FAQ about Auburn in 2017
2. Will a big-time receiver step up?
Auburn’s top three returning receivers combined for less than 1,000 yards. Darius Slayton (19.5 yards per catch) and Kyle Davis (20.7 ypc.) made a few big catches and Eli Stove (9.7 ypc.) is a solid slot receiver, but it’s a departure from 2013 when the offense featured two 700-yard receivers in Sammie Coates and D’Haquille Williams. Can Auburn's receivers seriously challenge a defense in the vertical passing game?
3. Who steps up in the pass rush?
Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams combined for 13.5 of Auburn's 23.5 sacks last season, and that void will need replaced in Kevin Steele's second season as defensive coordinator. Jeff Holland and Marlon Davidson would be the immediate candidates in that department. The Tigers' defense was solid last season – it ranked seventh in the FBS at 17.1 points per game. Auburn, however, still allowed 30 points to Alabama and 35 points to Oklahoma in the final two games.
