Three Things You Need to Know about the Auburn Tigers

The Auburn Tigers come in to Tuscaloosa for the 83rd edition of the Iron Bowl.

Auburn nearly derailed Alabama's national championship aspirations with a 26-14 win in Jordan-Hare Stadium, but the Crimson Tide has taken four of the last five games played in Tuscaloosa.

In the all-time series, Alabama has a 45-36-1 lead over Auburn.

Prior to kickoff, check out the three things you need to know about the 2018 edition of the Auburn Tigers.

Scoring First

A primary key to victory for Auburn Saturday is their ability to get out to a fast start.

The Tigers have had success getting on the scoreboard first as they have scored first in 24 of their last 29 games including eight of their 11 games this season.

This season, Auburn is 6-2 when scoring first but have lost two of their three games this year when falling behind early.

Stiff Defense

Kevin Steele's hiring at Auburn in 2016 helped to change the fortunes of an Auburn defense that had been among the most suspect defenses in the Southeastern Conference for the previous seven seasons.

This season, the Tigers have been among college football's best defensive units against the run and in the red zone.

Auburn has surrendered just six rushing touchdowns this season which ranks second in the FBS. Only four of the previous 11 opponents have managed a rushing touchdown this season.

In the red zone, the Tigers are also the second best defense in the country as opposing offense have crossed the goal line in nine of their 31 red zone opportunities.

Marlon Davidson on Special Teams

From punting and field goal kicking to kick coverage, an area of football that is often overlooked and taken for granted is the special teams.

With Alabama having issues in the placekicking department, a player to keep in mind for Saturday is Auburn's Marlon Davidson on special teams.

Davidson leads the SEC with three blocked field goal attempts and has blocked kicks at Ole Miss, at Mississippi State and against Tennessee.

In addition to Davidson, Jordyn Peters has blocked three punt attempts on the year.

The Tigers are the only team in the FBS with two players that have blocked three field goals or punts this season.