Auburn Football: 5 storylines to follow during 2018 spring ball

Auburn enters the 2018 spring ball season as a playoff contender. Which storylines should Tigers’ fans follow this spring?

The Auburn Tigers have a clear path to the College Football Playoff in 2018, and it’s called Tuscaloosa. The Tigers will have to win the SEC West or have their only loss of the season be to an undefeated Alabama in a close game to get into the playoff.

Auburn doesn’t have the stroke of Alabama and Gus Malzahn isn’t quite Nick Saban when it comes to politicking the powers that be in the college football world. If the Auburn Tigers can win the Iron Bowl for the first time on the road since 2010 they’re clear favorites for the national championship.

The Tigers return the bulk of their starting roster outside of Kerryon Johnson and the defensive backs. Auburn finished 2017 ranked 10th overall in Bill C’s S&P+ rankings even though they had four losses. The Tigers dropped the Peach Bowl to the Central Florida Knights in a thriller to end the season. Auburn enters 2018 ranked fifth in Bill C’s very early S&P+ rankings that adjust for recruiting and departures.

Most importantly, what Auburn does return is defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Steele put up the S&P+’s fifth ranked defense in the country after being ranked 9th at the end of 2016. Steele has been a consistent part of Malzahn’s success at Auburn and a consistent message and system benefits the Tigers.

Here are five storylines to follow heading into the Tigers’ April 7 spring game.