College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 1

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 02: Bo Scarbrough #9, head coach Nick Saban, and Jalen Hurts #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrate with the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 24-7 in their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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AUBURN, AL – SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive lineman Marlon Davidson #3 and linebacker Jeff Holland #4 of the Auburn Tigers celebrate after sacking quarterback Shai Werts #4 of the Georgia Southern Eagles during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Jordan Hare Stadium on Saturday, September 2, 2017 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

12. Auburn Tigers

Ranking coming into Week 1: No. 12

Can the Auburn Tigers live up to the hype of being a top-15 team this season? After their early-season performances last season, it never really felt like the Tigers were worthy of such a high status.

After a 41-7 opening weekend victory against Georgia Southern at home this past weekend, the questions still remain until they see some stronger competition, but they won’t have to wait long for that.

The Tigers of Auburn meet the Tigers from Clemson on Saturday night in Week 2 in one of the big-time games of the entire weekend. Auburn likely won’t run for 351 yards on 53 carries against Clemson like they did against Georgia Southern, but it’s clear that head coach Gus Malzahn wants to get back to what made his teams of years past so successful: running the football effectively.

It was scary how good Auburn was offensively during their year of magic that almost ended with the national title back in 2013-14 and if Kam Martin and Kerryon Johnson can be the new Tre Mason and Cameron Artis-Payne, the Tigers will be in great shape in the SEC West.

But, a brutal stretch of games awaits the Tigers later in the year after their matchup with the defending national champions on Saturday. During conference play, the Tigers go to LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M in a four-week stretch and then still have the annual Iron Bowl meeting with Alabama on Nov. 25.

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