Sheffield United got off to a perfect start on their return to the Sky Bet Championship, beating Brentford 1-0 in their season opener at the weekend.
But what does the rest of the campaign hold in store for the Blades? Ahead of their trip to Middlesbrough, live on Sky Sports Football, we've taken a look at how previous League One champions fare following promotion to the second tier...
Out of the last 10 promoted champions, three have been relegated straight back to the third tier, including Wigan (2016/17), Doncaster (2013/14) and Scunthorpe (2007/08).
2009/10 League One champions Norwich, meanwhile, went on to finish second the next season and clinch back-to-back promotions and reach the Premier League. Leicester (2008/09 champions), reached the play-offs the following season but were beaten in the semi-finals. They did, however, get promoted in 2014 before their stunning title win in 2015/16.
Four of the past 10 League One winners have found themselves back in the third tier for the start of the 2017/18 season (Wigan, Doncaster, Charlton and Scunthorpe), three are competing in this season's Championship (Bristol City, Wolves and Norwich), and three in the Premier League (Brighton, Leicester and Swansea).
Doncaster and Scunthorpe, meanwhile, have dropped as low as League Two since winning their League One title, with Rovers returning to the third tier this season after a year away and the Irons preparing for their fourth season back after a one-campaign stint in League Two in 2013/14.
Six teams have finished in the top half following their title win, while four have finished in the bottom 12. The average position for a League One champion the following year in the Championship is 12.7 - pretty much bang in the middle of the table. It would suggest that that Blades' fate is relatively up in the air.
Wilder backing his side
Meanwhile boss Chris Wilder, who oversaw Sheffield United's charge to promotion last season, is looking up rather than down.
"Whatever this season holds in store, we won't settle for consolidation and we aren't back in the Championship just to make up the numbers, although I'm under no illusions about how competitive the league is going to be," he told the Mirror before the start of the season.
"As far as I'm concerned, Sheffield United are back where we belong - with our stadium, our facilities and our fan base, this is a Championship club at the very least - and this season will be a wonderful opportunity for us to show what we're about."
David Prutton's view
Despite Wilder's positivity, Sky Sports EFL expert David Prutton believes that the Blades may need to be slightly more realistic with their ambitions.
"If they're honest with themselves it's got to be consolidation first and foremost this season," he said.
"However, they're a proud club in a proud city with a proud manager, and they'll aiming to get as high up the league as possible. But they've been out of the Championship for six years and there must be a bit of realism.
"It's not beyond the realms of possibility and, as you can see, it has happened before with the likes of Norwich and Leicester, getting themselves into the top six.
"There are a lot of teams pushing for the top six this year so you never know. Come autumn, or around Christmas time, if they're in the top half they'll be looking upwards rather than down."
Don't miss the Sky Bet Championship clash between Middlesbrough and Sheffield United on Saturday from 5.15pm, live on Sky Sports Football