Is it 2015 all over again?

Auburn had hype entering 2015, including a Heisman-contending quarterback in Jeremy Johnson, only to finish 7-6 overall and 2-6 in the SEC. So, what’s in store for 2017?

College football expert Phil Steele thinks that Auburn is in the College Football Playoff picture, and he joined The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 and explained his position. And to no surprise, signal caller Jarrett Stidham was a hot topic and a big reason why, along with the Iron Bowl.

“A lot of it revolves around that Alabama game,” Steele told the radio station. “The one big thing for Auburn the last couple of years is they haven’t had a quarterback.

“(Jarrett) Stidham is coming in with the same type of hype [as Jeremy Johnson did], but I like Jarrett Stidham,” Steele said. “He’s a guy that can throw. He is somewhat mobile. He won’t be your typical Auburn quarterback that runs a lot, but you don’t have to when you have [Kamryn] Pettway and [Kerryon] Johnson in the backfield.”

Although Steele likes Auburn and its defense, too, he does worry about one road trip.

“I worry about the trip to Death Valley,” he said. “They can slip up against LSU. If they beat Alabama, they can get there. They are one of the more experienced teams in the SEC.”

Auburn is sitting pretty ahead of the 2017 season, and it should improve upon last year’s 8-5 record.