Alabama appears to be head and shoulders above most other teams, but there are still a couple of games to be played before another berth in the Playoff.

The Iron Bowl is one such game. Its annual clash against Auburn has been one of the sport’s most exciting rivalries and, lately, has had huge implications in crowning a national champion.

Alabama has its most explosive offense since Nick Saban arrived, and its defense is just was ferocious as ever. There might not be much the Tigers can do, however, to slow the Crimson Tide. Here are five reasons Alabama will beat Auburn in Saturday’s Iron Bowl.

1. Alabama will shut down Auburn’s run game: When at its best, Auburn has one of the most lethal rushing offenses in college football. The Tigers average nearly 300 yards per game on the ground, which is fifth in the nation and best among SEC teams. Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson are a tough 1-2 punch and Auburn’s up-tempo offense allows them to take advantage of tired defenses.

All of those factors have helped the Tigers beat inferior or even quality opponents, but Alabama is on an entirely different level.

The Crimson Tide allow an average of 68.9 yards per game, the lowest mark in college football and nearly 30 yards fewer than the next-best team.

Auburn’s offense is predicated on running the football. There is no Plan B. If that isn’t working well, the Tigers don’t have many other ways to attack defenses (see: Georgia game). Alabama won’t concede an inch on the ground, and this could be a long day for Auburn.

2. Balanced offensive attack: While the Tigers’ offense relies on the run, the Crimson Tide have developed a more balanced attack in recent weeks. A lot of that has to do with the continued growth of true freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Hurts has completed nearly 65 percent of his passes for 2,168 yards with 18 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while adding 803 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. This dual-threat ability is a new dynamic for the Crimson Tide, but one that only adds to its balanced attack.

Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) carries for a 21 yard touchdown against the LSU Tigers during the fourth quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama is second behind Auburn in rushing yards per game this season, averaging just under 250 yards per contest. Because the Crimson Tide play with a lead more often than not, they will run the ball to salt away the clock. That doesn’t mean Alabama can’t attack defenses through the air, however. The Crimson Tide are averaging nearly 230 passing yards per game but have shown the ability to throw more often when needed.

Hurts threw for 347 yards and four scores, and ran for 100 and another touchdown against Mississippi State.

3. Alabama can score in all facets of the game: Alabama has scored nine defensive touchdowns this season, the most in college football. The Crimson Tide have also reached the end zone three times on special teams. Non-offensive touchdowns change momentum and demoralize one sideline while energizing another.

The Tide haven’t scored a non-offensive touchdown in their past three games, however.

Nobody needs to remind Nick Saban or Alabama fans how important a non-offensive touchdown can be in this rivalry.

4. Don’t allow explosive plays: Alabama’s defense generally has made opponents earn every yard in 2016. But the Tide have allowed 17 plays of 30 yards or longer, which is tied for sixth in the SEC.

It’s not much, but it’s a potential hole in a defense that doesn’t have many.

Can Auburn exploit it? Doubtful. Fifteen of those 17 long plays against Alabama came through the air, and that’s not the Tigers’ strength.

Auburn is fourth in the nation in explosive run plays – runs of 10 yards or longer – and have 102 such runs this season. The Tigers are at their most effective when they can take advantage of a defensive breakdown and slice their way down the field. Against Alabama, that likely won’t happen.

The Crimson Tide are very disciplined in their gap integrity and rarely have a blown assignment. Allowing only 31 explosive runs — fewest in the SEC — Alabama is the best team in college football at limiting big plays on the ground.

5. Confidence against other top teams: This is a bit of an intangible advantage, but it’s easy to overlook just how tough of a schedule Alabama has played. Alabama has the No. 1 strength of record, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index; it has played six ranked teams and beaten them by an aggregate score of 241-103.

Over half of the games the Crimson Tide have played in 2016 have come against ranked team, and they have cruised in most of them. What makes Auburn any different?