Gus Malzahn’s seat is getting quite toasty.Butch Dill/Associated Press

Auburn Tigers

After three consecutive seasons with at least five losses, Gus Malzahn will enter 2017 on one of the hottest seats in the country. But with a schedule that includes games at Clemson, at LSU, vs. Georgia and vs. Alabama, demanding a trip to the College Football Playoff is a bit much. The Tigers had better win at least one of those games, though, if they want to keep their coach for another year.

Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney has this program on one heck of a run with 60 wins over the past five years, including an active streak of two national championship appearances. However, with question marks at quarterback, running back and several key defensive positions, a slight step backward in preparation for a huge run in 2018 would probably be OK with this fanbase.

Georgia Bulldogs

With 10 returning starters on defense as well as a great offensive core of Jacob Eason, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Georgia has the pieces to win it all. At this point, though, fans of the Dawgs would be happy with meeting national preseason expectations for a change, which should be a ranking in the No. 10-15 range. Despite appearing in 15 consecutive preseason AP polls, Georgia was unranked at the end of five of the past eight seasons.

Louisville Cardinals

In what will almost certainly be Lamar Jackson’s last collegiate season, Louisville’s window of potential greatness is closing. But College Football Playoff or bust? The bar isn’t that high for the Cardinals. They could get there, but another 9-4 season wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Michigan Wolverines

2016 was the year Michigan was supposed to get the job done. In 2017, Wolverines fans will be hoping they don’t slip too far after losing 17 starters. Like Louisville, Michigan could make the playoffs. Heck, it would be irresponsible to suggest Jim Harbaugh couldn’t lead this team to a Big Ten title and a spot in the selection committee’s top four. But anything more than a third consecutive 10-win season would be gravy, not mandatory.

Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners probably would have made the cut if Bob Stoops didn’t decide to retire earlier this month. Expectations are still sky high for this team, but winning at least 10 games for the 15th time in 18 years to get Lincoln Riley’s career as a head coach off to a promising start would be good enough to serve as a successful season.