re: I'm trying to keep my expectations in check because I know how this

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for those who honestly believe, after looking at the team, that we're going to suck,

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Im not sure I have seen anyone at all say that or even hint towards that. You are being a little dramatic

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But I'll never understand "Oh, I'm scared to death because we're talented and we have a shot at doing well, so I'd better check my expectations now!"

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Nobody has said they were scared to death either. The point was being made that every season "lately" we all get so fired up, at least I know I do, at the beginning of fall practice. Seeing what is possible out there and the talent that "should be" able to build a great team makes us that way. Then, reality sets in when you realize that it was mostly just emotions you built that hope on and not reality. The coaches have not been able to relay that talent most of the years for numerous reasons.

Watching what Auburn has done with some serious talent over the past 8 years or so does that to you a little. You learn to look at things with your head and not your heart. I have felt like we were a few players away from being competitive at the top level over the past few years but I really dont feel that way this year. We are not missing anyone.

Saying that, we are just one or two injuries away from being where we were at the UGA and Alabama game last year. You take Stidham and Pettway out and we are not going to win a lot of big games. If any. I know its on "ifs" but we have saw these "Ifs" come true over the past few years.

It has nothing to do with being optimistic, its just lessons learned. As for maturity levels, depression or handling disappointments, that just silly to mention talking about football. Its only a game that none of us play. We just watch.

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I need you guys to humble my expectations and explain why we won't win the championship.

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Cant help you there.

Auburn is going undefeated this year

it's sports, man! What exactly is the harm in expecting good things? We have EVERY reason to be confident that our team can win a title, but hey there are probably 10 or so other teams that can win it too. So, SOMEONE has to win it, why not us?

Gus has taken on the HC role instead of OC. We have an OC that develops QBs. We have a stud QB and some actual depth that is decent behind the starter. We return a filthy defense that is very experienced. Best kicker in the country.

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No matter the talent, you just can't win much with Kiehl Frazier, Trotter, Moseley, Jeremy Johnson and an unhealthy Sean White.

Give me Stidham, a healthy SW as his backup, and Malik Willis if needed on the 15 and 16 teams and we're probably talking 10 wins both years.

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This. I am absolutely convinced we have the best depth top-to-bottom at QB this year than we've had in a very long time.

Welp, I've been an Auburn fan long enough to know that looking at the team on paper before the first snap, and what we actually look like a few games in are can be a head-scratcher. I'd like to think that Stidham can be the QB we need, but it's feeling that I've had in many a preseason.

The pieces appear to be there, if Stidham's half as good as advertised...I could see 14-1 at the absolute worst and probably 15-0 if he can complete a forward pass to someone wearing the same color jersey.

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always ends for us Auburn fans. I need you guys to humble my expectations and explain why we won't win the championship.

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because there exists expectations from AU this year. With expectations come disappointment seasons. Look at ANY year we were expected to be good and it didn't turn out. From an X and Os standpoint, we are very thin in the secondary past the starters. And, as much as we would like to believe, JS hasn't started a game in a long while and has not started a game against SEC play. He will start and have a warmup game against GA Southern. Then game two, his jock better be strapped tight because that will be a game.

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When I say "brand," that doesn't mean it's a better school or program, just that it's recognized as the best. Think Coke vs. Pepsi (or Dr. Pepper). Ask most people of they want a Coke or a Pepsi, and they will say Coke, but that doesn't mean Coke is really any better.

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I prefer Pepsi. 15-0

Let's not make ourselves Pepsi. Pepsi sucks

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don't trust our tackles in pass protection and don't trust Malzahn to let the offense evolve.

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Fair enoug.

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Defense should be good, could be great.

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Fify

Me and you both.