Alabama has won the last two Iron Bowls in decidedly different ways. Two years ago, the Crimson Tide’s defense shut down Auburn in a 29-13 victory; last year, Bama’s offense was simply overpowering in a 55-44 win.

This year’s edition of college football’s most heated rivalry game is a matchup of strength versus strength. The Tigers are averaging 297 rushing yards per game to lead the SEC and rank fifth in the FBS, while Alabama’s run defense is the best in country, allowing 68 yards per game.

So if Auburn sticks with the run-first approach it has used all season long – the Tigers have rushed 70 percent of the time – it would be playing right into Alabama’s hands. Sticking with that game plan would be stubborn – and potentially foolish – so at the very least, the Tigers have to somewhat mix things up if they want to give themselves a chance.

But what exactly can they do? Here are some things they can try to give themselves a fighting chance.

Let Sean White/Jeremy Johnson loose

Auburn’s top two quarterbacks are included here because White’s status for Alabama is still not clear, and Johnson would probably start once again if the redshirt sophomore can’t because of his injured throwing shoulder. And even though it was against Alabama A&M, Johnson’s performance last week was definitely a positive.

The Tide’s defense struggled the most this season against a dual threat quarterback – Chad Kelly burned Bama for 421 passing yards and 43 on the ground in Alabama’s 48-43 win over Ole Miss on Sept. 17. Neither White nor Johnson is anywhere near Kelly in terms of his ability, but whoever AU’s starter happens to be on Saturday will have to use his arm and his legs to keep Bama honest.

If it’s White, Auburn could do worse. He has completed 65 percent of his attempts to remain the SEC’s most accurate passer, and he’s not the worst runner in the world as his 52 rushes for 148 yards and 2 TDs attest.

Challenge Alabama’s secondary

Despite allowing 400 or more passing yards in two games this season, Alabama’s pass defense is second in the SEC, yielding 183.7 yards per game. Coincidentally, White is averaging 164.4 passing yards per game, a number he will have to exceed on Saturday, especially if Auburn is unable to run for more than 70.

Even after losing Eddie Jackson to injury, Bama’s secondary of Marlon Humphrey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ronnie Harrison, Anthony Averett and Tony Brown is still outstanding. But it’s not as good as Bama’s run-stopping defensive line/linebacking corps, so Auburn has to take shots downfield.

Tony Stevens, who had missed two games due to injury and had just one catch for 14 yards in his previous two, rebounded nicely with four receptions for 44 yards against Alabama A&M. Auburn’s leading receiver is going to need help from the likes of Darius Slayton and Kyle Davis if the Tigers try to stretch the field against the Tide.

Mix it up on offense

Led by defensive lineman Jonathan Allen and linebackers Tim Williams and Ryan Anderson, Alabama’s front seven is full of players who have racked up sacks and tackles for losses. But Auburn should try to take advantage of their tendency to over-pursue by mixing in screen passes and misdirection plays. To execute them, Auburn can turn to a couple of special Ks.

Kerryon Johnson, who has made 16 catches for 120 yards, has been a consistent receiving threat out of the backfield the last two years. And even though freshman Kam Martin – who rushed for a career-high 176 yards last week – has just two catches for 52 yards, getting him more involved in the passing game could be key, especially if Alabama happens to shut him down on the ground.

Keep Alabama guessing

Resorting to trick plays and gadgetry is usually an admission that your team is not as talented as its opponent and not the safest strategy, but Auburn may need them on Saturday. Plus, Gus Malzahn has a history of using them, so don’t be surprised if he or offensive coordinator/play-caller Rhett Lashlee try to execute one or two.

Last season, punter Kevin Phillips was involved in two successful trick plays – a fake punt that resulted in him running for 24 yards against Idaho, and another fake punt that culminated with him completing a 37-yard pass to Kerryon Johnson in the Birmingham Bowl. Against Arkansas State earlier this season, place kicker Daniel Carlson rushed for a 20-yard touchdown following a fake field-goal attempt.

Granted, not all of Auburn’s trick plays this year have worked – the one in which White, Jeremy Johnson and John Franklin were on the field at the same time in the season opener against Clemson resulted in Stanton Truitt rushing for a two-yard loss. But along with the aforementioned special teams successes, Ryan Davis’ 28-yard run against Texas A&M last year on a play called “Woody” comes to mind as a good one as well.

A trick play against any team is obviously a risky proposition. But against a team as good as Alabama, it’s a risk that Auburn might very well have to take.