College Football Rankings: Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2018

Auburn took down both teams that played for the College Football Playoff National Championship, but they couldn’t hand defeat to the only team that ended the regular season undefeated. The Tigers looked less motivated than their opponents for the Peach Bowl, and it resulted in a 34-27 defeat in Atlanta on the same field where they lost the SEC championship to Georgia.

Gus Malzahn’s team is going to lose a lot of the key players that drove its success in 2017. Both of Auburn’s top tailbacks, Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway, are both entering the NFL Draft. Gone as well is graduate transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

The defense should still be a force, with only three seniors departing from the starting unit. Outside linebacker Jeff Holland and cornerback Carlton Davis have also declared early for the draft as juniors, but there is still a lot of talent returning. The defensive line will be a point of strength, with the top six in the two-deep all returning.

A showcase matchup opens the season, as Auburn returns to Atlanta for a third straight game. There they will take on Washington on Labor Day weekend in a game that will set the tone for both teams’ seasons.