Auburn vs. Alabama: Assessing Each Team's Key to Victory in 2014 Iron Bowl

How many times have you watched the replay of Auburn's Chris Davis' game-winning return of an Alabama missed field goal to secure a 2013 Iron Bowl victory this week? Ten? Twenty? Well, there's a reason for all of that reminiscing—this is one of the most exciting college football games every year, and there will be no exception in 2014.

You aren't fired up yet? Well, maybe this will help:

Last year, the Tigers took down the No. 1 Crimson Tide, ending their hopes of a BCS title. This year, Alabama is the nation's top-ranked squad once again, and a win could propel the team into the first-ever College Football Playoff. Will Auburn play spoiler once more?

Before Auburn attempts to repeat history and Alabama gets a shot at redemption on Saturday, here's a look at the biggest key to victory for each team in this year's Iron Bowl.

Alabama: Get out of the Gate Quickly

The Crimson Tide's offense was a work in progress early in the season, but quarterback Blake Sims really came into his own, and Alabama is averaging 35.0 points per game as a result. However, Sims and Co. need a quick start to gain an early lead on the Tigers, forcing them to play from behind.

When Alabama has trailed early in conference games this season, results haven't been good. Ole Miss was the first to get on the board against the Crimson Tide, and the Rebels went on to win that game. Later in the season, LSU jumped out in front early. While Alabama won that game, it was forced to do so in overtime.

In both of those instances, Alabama didn't score until the second quarter. That cannot be the case against a dangerous Auburn offense on Saturday.

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The Tigers are a run-first team. When they fall behind, they are taken out of their comfort zone. That was the case earlier this season when Dak Prescott got Mississippi State out to an early lead against Auburn. It forced the Tigers to pass more frequently, and the end result was Nick Marshall completing 17 of his 35 passing attempts for two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Mississippi State won that game handily by clamping down on defense after gaining that early lead, and Alabama is built to do the same.

This shouldn't be an issue for Sims in the Iron Bowl. Of his 19 touchdown passes this season, eight have come in the first quarter. He's also completing 67.7 percent of his passes in the opening quarter of games this year, over 7 percent more than any of the other three.

Auburn: Fire Up the Defense

Auburn isn't exactly the team you think of in terms of defense; however, that's going to have to change for the Tigers if they are to take down Alabama yet again.

This season, Auburn's defense can be described as porous. The Tigers are ranked 40th in scoring defense, 74th against the pass, 38th against the run and 52nd in total defense. Those aren't good numbers to begin with, but the problem here is that they've been worse against SEC opponents.

Over their last five conference games, the Tigers have allowed at least 31 points in each. If Auburn gives up that many points to Alabama, a victory will be practically out of reach against a Crimson Tide defense ranked second in the nation, allowing an average of just 14.5 points per game.

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One big way to slow Alabama down will be to contain wide receiver Amari Cooper. Tigers defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson spoke with Joel A. Erickson of AL.com about the team's plans to double-cover the prolific wideout.

"We'll do it some, absolutely," said Johnson. "Of course, there's a lot of different ways you do it. What everybody calls double-zone, just two deep, try to have somebody over the top, try to disguise what you're doing."

Keeping Alabama's offense from lighting up the scoreboard will work in similar fashion to how Auburn took down Ole Miss and its stout defense. While the Rebels did put up 31, the points were spread out over the course of the game, allowing the Tigers to continue running the ball, racking up 248 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries and coming away with a win.