New quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the 12th-ranked Auburn Tigers open a season with high expectations Saturday, when an extremely young, but always tricky Georgia Southern squad visits Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Tigers, coming off last year's 8-5 season, are expected to contend with Alabama and LSU in the SEC West. They are viewed by many as a second-tier playoff contender.
A lot of that will depend on the development of Stidham, a heralded sophomore transfer from Baylor, who is coming back from an ankle injury suffered in November that cut his freshman season short.