Since Alabama rattled off 3 straight wins against Auburn in 2014, 2015, and 2016, the Iron Bowl has taken on a back-and-forth feel. The Tigers snapped the skid in 2017 en route to their first SEC Championship Game appearance since 2013, while the Tide avenged that loss in massive fashion in 2018 behind 5 passing touchdowns by Tua Tagovalioa. In 2019, the Tigers won a wild 48-45 affair as Alabama missed a potential game-tying field goal with 2 minutes remaining in the game.

While Auburn won’t be favored against a high-powered Alabama offensive attack led by Mac Jones—who threw for 4 touchdowns in last year’s matchup—it will look to make headway against a Tide defense that, after early-season struggles, has strengthened in recent weeks in allowing just 20 points in its last 3 games.

“They’re going to have really, really good players at every position,” Malzahn said on Monday evening during his weekly “Tiger Talk” radio appearance, according to Opelika-Auburn News beat writer Jordan D. Hill. “When you play Nick, if you hurt them with something they’re going to have an answer right off the bat.”

The Tigers and Crimson Tide will meet at 2:30 pm CT on Saturday, with the game set to be once again televised on CBS. Auburn will look to make it consecutive wins against Alabama for the first time since a 6-game winning streak against its rival from 2002-2007.