It wasn’t always pretty on Saturday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but the Auburn Tigers ended up beating Louisiana-Monroe 42-14 in their tune up for the Iron Bowl.

Next weekend’s game in Auburn will now decide the SEC West title. Alabama is favored, but Auburn just knocked off one No. 1 team last weekend. If Auburn wants to make it to the College Football Playoff, taking down No. 1 Alabama is a must.

Here are three reasons Auburn is playing some of its most complete football of the season just in time for the Iron Bowl:

The offense is one of the most versatile in the country

Six players scored touchdowns on Saturday afternoon — three on runs, two on receptions and one on a pick-six.

Those five offensive touchdowns from five players were nice to see considering how heavily the offense has relied on RB Kerryon Johnson. Just having guys like WR Darius Slayton and RB Kam Martin contributing to the scoring load is huge for OC Chip Lindsey.

QB Jarrett Stidham is playing some of his best football right now, which means the Tigers can beat anyone.

Stidham ranks second in the SEC in completions longer than 30 yards (22), 40 yards (17) and 50 yards (10).

He’ll need to take some deep shots Saturday. If the Tigers can get a few more big plays against the Crimson Tide, they’ll be in good shape.

The defense is more opportunistic

The Tigers forced three turnovers against the Warhawks and had one more against Georgia last weekend, so they’re hitting their stride in terms of ballhawking ability.

DB Nick Ruffin returned an interception for a touchdown Saturday.

Against Alabama, which protects the football as well as anybody in the country (just seven turnovers), forcing turnovers and controlling field position will be incredibly important.

Jalen Hurts has thrown just one interception this season — in 200 attempts. Obviously he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, but if the Tigers can force an early one, it would go a long way toward helping them pull off the massive upset and make it to Atlanta in a couple of weeks.

The Tigers’ kicking game is playing well

In Saturday’s win, K Daniel Carlson only allowed one kickoff return to the Warhawks — who entered the game with the most 20+-yard returns in the country.

That one return went for only 9 yards, something the Tigers will need to replicate against the Crimson Tide. If Carlson can continue booting the ball through the back of the end zone, Auburn’s defense will have more control of the game.

Obviously, Alabama’s return game hasn’t exactly been a strength this year, but it would still be best for Carlson and the Tigers if the Tide didn’t get any chances to return the ball for a long gain. Auburn hasn’t been the best at covering kickoffs this year, so preventing returns altogether is the best bet during next weekend’s Iron Bowl.