Sooner or later, someone in the SEC has to stand up, step up and slow down the machine known as the Alabama football program. At some point, someone has to shake off the effects of a paralyzing condition known as LBS - Little Bubba Syndrome - and man up against the men in crimson when it matters most.

Who's going to do it? You, LSU? One of Nick Saban's coaching children at Florida, Georgia or South Carolina?

Sorry, Kirby, but not likely.

The most legitimate candidate to tug on Superman's cape and live to tell the tale is the one that's done it before, the one that's pulled the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger more than once.

Every college football program has or should have an identity. Auburn has become the stone in Saban's shoe. The Tigers may get stepped on repeatedly in that interaction - as has been the case seven times in the last nine years - but every so often, things shift and they cause some real pain.

If not for Auburn, Saban and LSU could've won three SEC titles in four years from 2001-04. Only Auburn's knock-down, drag-out 10-9 win over LSU in 2004 prevented Saban and company from reaching another SEC Championship Game and probably winning it.

If not for Auburn, Saban and Alabama could've won three straight national championships from 2011-13 and five straight SEC titles from 2012-16. Only Auburn's historic Kick Six victory in 2013 prevented Saban and friends from taking a giant leap toward a run of historic proportion.

If not for Auburn, there's a very good chance Saban would own nine SEC championships rather than his current collection of seven and Bear Bryant's record of 14 wouldn't seem quite so out of reach.

If not for Auburn, Saban could've led Alabama to the last five conference crowns, which would've matched the SEC record Bryant and the Crimson Tide set from 1971-75.

As it is, Saban and Alabama are shooting for their fourth straight SEC championship this season, which would match Steve Spurrier and Florida (1993-96) for the second-best run the conference has witnessed.

Who can stop them? Maybe no one, but if anyone can, Auburn appears to be the prime suspect.

First, the Iron Bowl will be played on the Plains, the site of epic Auburn victories over Saban-coached teams in 2004 and 2013. In each case, the Tigers didn't just prevent Saban from winning the SEC championship at a minimum. They went on to win the league themselves.

Another factor in Auburn's favor: The potential exists for another transfer quarterback to transform the team. The combination of newbie Jarrett Stidham as the much-hyped starter and returnee Sean White as a reliable backup should prevent the kind of offensive collapse that occurred last year after White got hurt.

A formidable defense in its second year under Kevin Steele should keep most every game within reach. An imposing kicking game featuring Daniel "Legatron" Carlson should tilt a close game or two in Auburn's direction.

In Gus Malzahn, the man running the show, Auburn has one of only two current SEC coaches with a win over Saban and one of only two coaches in the league, Saban included, with an SEC title.

It would be a fool's errand to predict that Alabama won't win the SEC again this year, but only a fool would deny the possibilities where Auburn is concerned.

The Tigers are uniquely positioned, by geography and history, to find a way to beat Alabama when almost no one does. They're uniquely motivated because Alabama's incessant victory celebrations take place right in Auburn's face.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results, but Auburn has a knack for eventually saying enough is enough. These Tigers would appear to have enough in the tank to challenge Alabama, on the field and in the standings, for the first time in four years.

If not them, who? If not now, when?