Auburn Football: Tigers Fans' Complete Guide to 2014 Iron Bowl

AUBURN, Ala. — It's Thanksgiving week in the state of Alabama, and that usually means three things: food, family and at least one college football team with national title hopes is about to go up against its biggest rival.

This season, Alabama is once again on the path to a berth on the game's biggest stage—this time, a potential place in the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Crimson Tide have not been as impressive in 2014 as championship-quality teams of years past under Nick Saban, but they are still right where they want to be heading into the final week of the season.

On the other side, Auburn's dreams of repeating as an SEC champion and avenging its national title game loss are gone after a late-season slide. However, Gus Malzahn's uptempo and hungry team that thrived as the underdog throughout the 2013 season is back in a familiar spot in 2014, one in which it will once again try to inflict the killer blow on Alabama's title goals.

To make things even more dramatic, this year's Iron Bowl comes one year after the most exciting and unbelievable finish in the sport's history, Chris Davis' "Kick Six."

Hopes and hatred will reach a boiling point Saturday night—yes, it's a night game this year—in Tuscaloosa as Auburn hopes to turn the college football world on its head one more time:

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 29
• Time: 7:45 p.m. ET (6:45 p.m. local)
• Place: Bryant-Denny Stadium; Tuscaloosa, Ala.
• TV: ESPN
• Radio: Auburn IMG Sports Network, Crimson Tide Sports Network
  
• Spread: Alabama -9.5, according to Odds Shark

When Auburn Is on Offense

USA TODAY Sports

Auburn WR Sammie Coates

Start Fast

If you ask anyone involved with Auburn's offense—player or coach—he will say Auburn's No. 1 key against Alabama will be just like the No. 1 key from almost every big game this season for the Tigers.

"We've just got to get off to a fast start," senior wide receiver Quan Bray said. "When we get off to a fast start and maintain that start, then I'm pretty sure we'll be real good."

In Auburn's two losses away from home, the opposition was able to limit the Tigers offense to less than 14 points in the first half. A lot of factors go into these slow starts, from turnovers to a lack of explosive plays, but one thing is for certain: Auburn cannot afford to get in a hole in a hostile environment.

Take to the Skies

Alabama's defense is, unsurprisingly, one of the nation's best as we head into the Iron Bowl. Balanced with top-level talent at every position, the Crimson Tide thrive on the great play of their defense.

However, if you were to find a weakness with this unit, it would have to be in the secondary. Alabama has only allowed five fewer passes of 10 or more yards than the widely criticized Auburn defense.

The Tigers will have to establish the run against Alabama, but the way to move the chains in big situations might be through the air. The availability of D'haquille Williams will definitely be a factor in this strategy as the former junior college star excels in making important catches on intermediate routes.

Keep Moving Forward

Auburn's offense has been able to move the ball against top defenses under Malzahn, and efficiency has always been the key in those big games.

Drive-killers, such as negative plays on second down and stacked penalties, have been a major issue for the Tigers this season. Alabama's defense will feast on these opportunities, but steady progress down the field will open up some gaps.

Both sides of the ball have to cut down on the ugly mistakes, especially in a game against the No. 1 team in the country, but the offense must make sure all drives make a difference in the game. Auburn won't score on every drive, but it needs to take advantage of every opportunity in some form or fashion, whether it's in points, possession or position on the field.

When Auburn Is on Defense

Associated Press

Alabama WR Amari Cooper and Auburn DB Jermaine Whitehead

Amari Cooper vs. The World

Before the Kick Six last season, Alabama had a would-be legendary play of its own—a 99-yard touchdown pass to Cooper that put Alabama up 28-21 early in the fourth quarter.

Although Cooper's team did not finish victorious against the Tigers, he has carried over all that momentum from a strong 2013 season into 2014 as one of the nation's premier receivers and a potential Heisman finalist. When it comes to the national ranks, Cooper is third in average receiving yards per game, fifth in total receptions and tied for fifth in touchdowns.

Auburn's pass defense, still shaky at best during the back half of this season, will have its hands full against Cooper, but focusing too much on the talented wideout could be an even bigger problem considering the overall talent of Alabama's offense. How Auburn chooses to cover Cooper and how successful the strategy turns out will be by far the biggest matchup to watch Saturday night.

Alabama's Offense Doesn't Need Any Help

Auburn's issues with penalties continued last weekend against FCS opponent Samford, and the defense continued to give out free yards with pass interference calls, personal fouls and lining up offsides.

"There were 13 possessions [against Samford], three drives went for 40 yards or longer, and every one of them had penalties in them," defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "We’re extending drives or either we’re giving people instead of 1st-and-10s, we’re giving 1st-and-5. Or instead of 3rd-and-10, now it’s 1st-and-10...if we just stop the penalties, I think we’ll come off the field a couple more times in a game."

Penalty-free drives will be important for Auburn against Alabama's offense, which has been able to move the ball effectively against less-than-stellar defenses. Good, disciplined defense could be the key to opening Alabama's offensive inconsistencies and big-time stops.

Fumbles, Fumbles, Fumbles

Despite its issues with tackling and containing playmakers, Auburn's defense is tied for 25th nationally in fumbles forced this season with 12.

On the other sideline, Alabama has fumbled the ball 15 times this year and recovered only three of them—the nation's worst recovery rate at an alarming 80 percent.

With Alabama quarterback Blake Sims' low number of interceptions this season, Auburn's best chance at momentum-swinging turnovers will come by jarring the ball loose from the Crimson Tide's fumble-prone playmakers. If the Tigers tackle solidly and get a few big hits in, they could make up some of their defensive deficiencies by pouncing on the ball.

Auburn Players to Watch

USA TODAY Sports

Auburn RB Cameron Artis-Payne

RB Cameron Artis-Payne

During last season's Iron Bowl, Tre Mason and the Auburn offense showed it could run against a defense as stout as the Tide's.

This season, Artis-Payne is ahead of Mason's record-breaking pace without the likes of Jay Prosch, Greg Robinson and Alex Kozan blocking for him up ahead.

If Artis-Payne can continue his strong season with a standout performance against Alabama, he will definitely go down in Auburn history as having one of the best single years at a school that likes to refer to itself as "Running Back U." The Tigers offense will need to establish a good rhythm up front, so look for the SEC's leading rusher to take charge for this attack.

LT Shon Coleman

Coleman has struggled in recent weeks against all levels of competition, but the coaching staff still says there is plenty of confidence behind the redshirt sophomore.

The Tigers will need him to step his game up after a string of bad performances when they face a defense that excels at getting into the backfield.

When Coleman's on, the entire line gets a boost from his strong push up front. When he's off, Nick Marshall has a hard time staying upright. Whichever side Coleman's switch is flipped will be key Saturday night.

CB Jonathon Mincy

Mincy has regressed from one of Auburn's best defenders last season to one of its worst in the rotation this season.

Penalties and blown coverages continue to mount for the senior, who had a roller coaster of a performance against Samford with three penalties, one interception and a couple of big hits. 

Auburn simply cannot have the errors it has been getting from its secondary against the likes of Sims, Cooper and the rest of the Alabama passing game. A great performance in his final regular-season game will do Mincy and the rest of the Auburn defense a lot of good this weekend in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama Players to Watch

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Alabama S Landon Collins

QB Blake Sims

This Alabama offense has been one of the most explosive, if not the most explosive, Tuscaloosa has seen since defensive-minded Nick Saban took control. The veteran coach's hire of Lane Kiffin hasn't been without its rough patches, but it's hard to argue with the vast majority of his results.

Sims, the "underdog" of the quarterback race heading into the season, took the job over Florida State transfer Jake Coker and has not looked back. His four interceptions are the second fewest among SEC starting quarterbacks, and he ranks seventh nationally in yards per attempt with 8.7 this season.

The longtime reserve brings a new element to Alabama's offense that it hasn't had in quite some time—mobility from the quarterback. If Auburn can slow down Sims' receivers, there is always the chance Sims can pick up the big first down or break off an explosive play with his feet.

LB Reggie Ragland

Of Alabama's linebacking corps, Ragland has been the most consistent this season, leading the team with more than seven tackles per game and pitching in 8.5 tackles for loss through 11 contests.

Auburn's dual-threat, uptempo offense will put a good amount of strain on Alabama's linebackers, and fans will most likely hear the Butkus Award semifinalist's name called out a lot Saturday night.

As a versatile linebacker in Saban's 3-4 defense, Ragland will also share some of the responsibility in blitzing Nick Marshall. Running quarterbacks have historically been somewhat of a problem for Saban and his teams, so look for Ragland to be a primary weapon in slowing down Auburn's quick signal-caller.

S Landon Collins

Another award semifinalist from Alabama, Collins leads the Crimson Tide in interceptions and is second only to Ragland in tackles this season.

Auburn will occasionally look to try to take the top off Alabama's defense with deep balls, most likely to Sammie Coates, which makes Collins a definite player to watch in coverage.

Collins also provides a great amount of run support for Alabama in stopping teams from recording explosive plays. No matter what type of play Auburn calls, Collins will probably have a role in trying to slow it down.

Injury Report

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Auburn WR D'haquille Williams

Auburn

UPDATE (Tuesday): Head coach Gus Malzahn announced wide receivers D'haquille Williams and Ricardo Louis will be available to play Saturday against the Crimson Tide after sitting out the Samford game.

Auburn will be without starting defensive end DaVonte Lambert, who underwent surgery on his knee Tuesday morning, for the rest of the season. Senior defensive tackle Jeff Whitaker will also miss the Iron Bowl.

Malzahn expects all other Tigers to play Saturday night.

--------

Wide receivers D'haquille Williams and Ricardo Louis are still considered "day-to-day" after being held out of the Samford game last Saturday.

"The guys we held, we felt like it was the right decision, and we feel like it's going to increase their chances of playing this week," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "We'll just know when we get out there tomorrow and get after it and see where they're at. But we're always optimistic our guys are going to be ready to go."

On the other side of the field, defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said defensive end DaVonte Lambert "is probably out this week" after leaving the Samford game with a knee injury. If Lambert cannot go, Johnson said Montravius Adams and Gabe Wright could play end this weekend.

Alabama

According to AL.com's Michael Casagrande, wide receiver Amari Cooper could have returned to the Crimson Tide's game against Western Carolina after suffering an early knee bruise. 

Tight end Brian Vogler and wide receiver ArDarius Stewart had more serious injuries during the Western Carolina game, as Saban called them "stretched knee ligaments." Left tackle Cam Robinson sprained his ankle and did not return.

Several players, including linebacker Denzel Devall, T.J. Yeldon, DeAndrew White and Adam Griffith did not play against Western Carolina. According to Casagrande, Saban said they "could have played."

This slide will be updated throughout the week as more information is made available.

What They're Saying in Auburn

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Auburn WR Quan Bray and Alabama S Landon Collins

Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee on coaching in the Iron Bowl:

"

If you have never been in one or a part of one or at least attended one then you really can’t appreciate it. I have been able to coach in three of them and all three have gone down to the wire, a last-second drive or minute drive by somebody just about. There’s an energy in the Iron Bowl that’s different than really any other game. It’s comparable to an SEC championship or national championship game. A lot of these guys grew up playing against each other or with each other, so there is a lot of pride. Both teams always play extremely hard. There’s a lot on the line. This year will be no different.

 

"

Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson on what Auburn is playing for against Alabama:

"

We’ve got a lot to play for. Coach was talking the other day, I think it was 1988 since we’ve had back-to-back 10-win seasons here, so that’s a huge goal for the football team. Just to beat Alabama, obviously, these players and these seniors in particular would be a great thing for us. We’ve got to play a lot better than we’ve been playing. I think they’re probably playing as good of football as they’ve played during the season, and I’m not sure we are. We’ve got to step it up.

 

"

Wide receiver Quan Bray on playing Alabama's defense:

"

Ole Miss had the No. 1 defense, too, and we went up there and took care of business. That just gives us a little motivation to step our level of play up a little bit more.

 

"

Linebacker Kris Frost on playing in the Iron Bowl:

"

It's really unlike anything I've ever experienced. My freshman year when I was redshirted, I had the opportunity of being on the sideline and dressing out for that game. It was amazing then, and it's just as amazing or more now being a part of something that's so great and viewed so highly among people all across the country. People that don't know anything about Alabama or Auburn, they know the Iron Bowl and they know how important this game is to football.

"

Prediction

Associated Press

Alabama HC Nick Saban and Auburn HC Gus Malzahn

After two bad losses and a disappointing start against Samford, Auburn isn't coming into this game with a lot of momentum, even with the way the Tigers finished last Saturday.

Despite some inconsistency in recent weeks, the Crimson Tide have more momentum and the home-field advantage, so the outcome will most likely come down to which Auburn team shows up to play Saturday night. A slow start for Auburn could mean another rout in Tuscaloosa—but, if the Tigers keep it close deep into the second half, things could get quite interesting Saturday night.

Auburn has been a tough team to predict this season. Even after two recent SEC losses, motivation won't be a factor at all in the Iron Bowl, and last week's win against Samford might have been the breather this team needed. However, the Tigers' troublesome defense and up-and-down offense doesn't match up well against a championship-contending team like Alabama.

To me, this game will either be a tight Auburn win thanks to its prowess in late-game situations or a multi-touchdown victory for Alabama. I'm going to go with the latter, one with a couple of "anaconda" second-half drives from the Crimson Tide that will trap Auburn's defense on the field and choke off any hope of an upset.

This Auburn team simply doesn't look as strong as it should be at this point in the season for it to record another upset of its top-ranked rival.

Alabama 38, Auburn 21

All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Justin Ferguson is Bleacher Report's lead Auburn writer. Follow him on Twitter @JFergusonAU.