The Auburn Tigers are entering a pivotal year under head coach Gus Malzahn.

The Tigers finished just 7-6 last season and 2-6 in conference, and several are scratching their heads and wondering just how much job security Malzahn really has, despite getting a recent contract extension.

So, this season is setting up to be very interesting for the team, a team that still doesn’t have a known starter at quarterback and a team that could be led by its defense.

AL.com’s Lauren Sisler, Wesley Sinor and Matt Scalici recently broke down the Tigers’ 2016 season and predicted every game. You can check out the 20-plus minute video here.

Sinor, one of the team’s primary beat writers, predicted Auburn to finish 8-4 overall and 5-3 in conference, with wins against Arkansas State, Texas A&M, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Georgia and Alabama A&M. The losses will come against Clemson, LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama, according to Sinor. He noted the Tigers would be underdogs to Georgia, but he thought AU would pull the upset.

Scalici, on the other hand, predicted Auburn to finish 7-5 overall and 4-4 in conference. Scalici penciled in wins against Arkansas State, Texas A&M, Louisiana-Monroe, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and Alabama A&M. The losses included Clemson, LSU, Arkansas, Georgia and Alabama.

Would Auburn fans be happy with an 8-4 or 7-5 overall record?

Following the predictions, Scalici explained the two pivotal games on the schedule are Georgia and Alabama, and depending on if the Tigers lose both, it may come into effect how they lost both, with respect to fans’ expectations. Sinor noted that should the team finish 8-4, most Auburn fans would be pleased.

Obviously, if the Tigers fill the need at quarterback and the offense starts eating up yards like we’ve seen in the past under Malzahn, the ceiling is much higher than eight wins.

Be sure and check out the video from AL.com, as they explain their picks and upcoming expectations and predict the team’s starting quarterback.