Taking a position-by-position look at the Iron Bowl showdown between No. 1 Alabama and No. 15 Auburn:

QUARTERBACK — Alabama: In a battle of two seniors, Alabama’s Blake Sims has the edge on Auburn’s Nick Marshall. Sims has been one of the most accurate and efficient quarterbacks in the SEC this year, and he’s tops in the nation when it comes to third down efficiency. Marshall is certainly dangerous running the ball, but Sims has the ability to make things happen with his legs too. Sims’ passing ability far outpaces Marshall’s, though.

RUNNING BACK — Auburn: Auburn has the top running game in the conference, although a big chunk of that stems from Marshall piloting the read-option offense. Cameron Artis-Payne has stepped into a starting role this season with excellent results; he’s the SEC’s top rusher and is second in rushing touchdowns. Alabama has a deep and talented backfield, but T.J. Yeldon is banged up and Derrick Henry hasn’t lived up to high expectations this year.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END — Alabama: This position begs the question, is one Amari Cooper better than three of any other team’s top receivers? Alabama doesn’t have a consistent second option behind Cooper, and while Auburn’s top receiver D’haquille Williams is a game-time decision, the Tigers have a trio of talented receivers behind him in Sammie Coates, Ricardo Louis and Quan Bray. Still, Cooper’s brilliance outshines everyone — as long as he’s healthy.

OFFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: The Crimson Tide consistently have one of the most talented lines in the country, and that’s the case this season. They’ve been banged up, though, and they come into this week with freshman left tackle Cam Robinson a bit hobbled. Auburn has had it’s share of injuries up front as well, and they might need to sub in a freshman at tackle on Saturday.

DEFENSIVE LINE — Alabama: Alabama’s defensive line has steadily improved over the course of the season, getting contributions from young players up and down the line. Auburn gets very little production or pressure out of its front four, a major factors in the defense falling apart over the last month of the season.

LINEBACKER — Alabama: Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost are a dynamic linebacking duo for Auburn, but they’re not as consistent as they need to be for Auburn to have great success defensively. Alabama has one of the best linebackers in the SEC in Reggie Ragland, who’s had a phenomenal senior season, while the Tide get mostly steady production from Trey DePriest and Xzavier Dickson leads the team with 7.0 sacks.

SECONDARY — Alabama: Landon Collins may well be the best safety in the SEC, and he plays alongside some fellow talented safeties in Nick Perry and Eddie Jackson. Auburn got a boost when Jermaine Whitehead was reinstated from suspension, but he hasn’t made much of an impact. Auburn’s best defensive back is Josh Holsey, but he can’t do it himself in the backfield.