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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) carries against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Commodores 23-16. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) carries against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Commodores 23-16. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /
15

Auburn Tigers

2016: 8-5, SEC- West Division

Head coach Gus Malzahn and his Auburn Tigers played very inconsistent football in 2016, and still somehow managed to make it to the Sugar Bowl. In 2017, the team will be based around their two-headed monster at running back, as Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson are back for more fun in 2017. An early season matchup with Clemson is slated for September 9, so we should get a good indicator of this team’s makeup in the early going.

While the team is certainly set at running back, it will be the quarterback position that will make or break the Tigers season. Incumbent starter Sean White is still recovering from a broken forearm and shoulder injury, which could pave the way for JUCO transfer Jarrett Stidham to take over the starting job. Stidham is a former five-star prospect and could have the kind of impact Cam Newton had at Auburn in 2010.

Auburn definitely has a tough schedule in 2017, but if they can get past Clemson, it should boost their confidence heading into SEC play. They do get to play host to a team like Alabama and Georgia, while their toughest road opponent will likely be LSU. This team has a ton of experience on both sides of the ball, so it could be at least a double-digit win season for the Tigers in 2017.

The Tigers return a ton of talent on defense but will have to replace the pass rushing abilities of Carl Lawson and Montravious Adams. However, Tray Matthews returns to his safety spot for this season and should anchor a tough defensive secondary. Auburn brought in a stellar recruiting class this year, and it looks like they are making a steady ascent back to the top of the SEC.

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