Auburn has a chance to win back-to-back Iron Bowls for the first time since 2006-07, but to accomplish that feat, it will have to spoil its arch-rival’s season once again.

To accomplish that feat this season, however, looks to be a different challenge.

The Tigers were college football’s hottest team — and perhaps its most magical team — en route to the wildest ending anyone has ever seen. Auburn was 10-1 and ranked fourth in the country, and rode a seven-game winning streak into the Iron Bowl.

This season, it’s a different narrative. The Tigers have limped through a six week stretch in which penalties, turnovers, injuries and college football’s hardest schedule have taken its toll.

Head coach Gus Malzahn looks to show last year’s kick six wasn’t a fluke, and that his Tigers can compete annually against the establishment of college football.

“I think we’re very confident,” Malzahn said, according to AL.com. “I like where we’re at. We started off good, had a tough stretch there, but this is the Iron Bowl and our guys are excited to play in it.”

The goals on the Plains are clear: SEC and national championships. But those goals are only realized if the Tigers can win its state.

As long as Nick Saban resides in Tuscaloosa, those goals will go through the Crimson Tide.

Auburn may enter the 2014 edition of the Iron Bowl — the 79th meeting between the two — under different circumstances, but the situation sets up perfectly Malzahn, who is more mad scientist to Les Miles’ mad hatter.

Time is on the side of the Tigers. Auburn has not had any class all week due to Thanksgiving break, giving Malzahn and his players more time to meet, practice and focus on football.

Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee have been, by their standards, conservative on offense this season. The number of trick plays are down, and the Tigers haven’t run as many jet sweeps, motions or other “eye candy” plays to open up the middle of the field.

If I’m putting my money down on the table, I expect that to change this week.

The Tigers will throw in some new wrinkles, formations or plays we haven’t seen this season. They’ll have to.

Auburn must play mistake-free, near-perfect football to beat it’s cross-state rival.

With a full, distraction-free week, the offensive guru of the Hurry-Up, No-Huddle offense has had a chance to evaluate his playbook and make additions in order for the Tigers to leave Tuscaloosa with its ninth win of the season.

The 2010 and 2013 meetings have served as evidence that anything can happen in this rivalry. Malzahn should like the position his team is in. The pressure is all on the Crimson Tide; Alabama’s SEC West title hopes ride on this game.

The Tigers spoiled the Crimson Tide’s season last year. Auburn’s in perfect position to repeat that feat, but Nick Marshall and company must execute.

If the Tigers can pull-off a sequel as a spoiler, not only will it prove Malzahn can compete with Saban and the Tide, but it would salvage a season somewhat gone wrong during the past six weeks and put Auburn in position for 10 wins.

Easier said than done.