Auburn vs. Ole Miss Prediction, Game Preview


Auburn vs. Ole Miss prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC West matchup between the Tigers and Rebels.


Auburn vs. Ole Miss Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 29 – 7:15 p.m. ET
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS
TV Broadcast: SEC Network

Auburn put an old-fashioned butt whooping on Arkansas 56-3 this past Saturday, scoring on the first offensive play and never looking back. The Tigers rushed for 543 yards on 57 attempts while the defense shut down the Hogs attack, holding it to 215 total yards.

Ole Miss’ disappointing season continued with a 38-21 loss to LSU in Baton Rouge. The Rebels could not stop Tigers running back Leonard Fournette, who went off for 284 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 16 carries.

What To Know About Auburn

Both the offense and defense are clicking right now, and that makes this Auburn team extremely scary. The Tigers are No. 3 in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 302.86 yards per game on the ground. Starting running back Kerryon Johnson saw no action against the Razorbacks, but his replace Kam Pettway has proven he can do it on the ground, rushing for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense has been steady all season long, and will now look to pressure Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly. The defensive front, including stud Carl Lawson, has been dominating opposing offensive lines.

What to Know About Ole Miss

This season hasn’t gone the way head coach Hugh Freeze and the Rebels expected. Kelly has been decent at quarterback, but seven interceptions have been a problem. The rushing game hasn’t been up to par, earning just 150.14 yards per game. If the Rebels are to turn things around, the rushing attack must get better.

The defense will have its hands full against the Auburn run game, and that is a problem given that the Rebels are 113th in the nation in rush defense, allowing 226.86 yards per game. Ole Miss must make Auburn quarterback Sean White pass to beat the Rebels, otherwise it could be another long day.

Advantages

Offense: Auburn. This unit looks completely opposite from the one that started the season.

Defense: Auburn. Kelly will be pressured a lot by this defense that allows just 198.3 yards per game through the air.

Special Teams: Auburn. With almost every kickoff by Daniel Carlson going out of the end zone, the opponents don’t get any shot at a big return.

Coaching: Tie. The two good friends – Gus Malzahn and Hugh Freeze – are familiar with each other and their coaching styles.

Intangibles: Auburn. Keep winning, and a date with Alabama in the Iron Bowl could be for the SEC West title.

Matchup To Watch

Auburn rushing attack vs. Ole Miss run defense

The Rebels have to slow down the Auburn running game in order to have any shot at winning this game.

Auburn vs. Ole Miss Betting Odds

Spread: Auburn -2.5
Over/Under: Not available at time of publication.

Auburn vs. Ole Miss Prediction

The Tigers and Rebels played a classic in 2014 in Oxford, and I expect this one to be just as good. Ole Miss has to keep Auburn from getting a big start, as coming back against the Tigers defense would be difficult. The Tigers will be able to get the ground game going, offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee will mix in a few pass plays with Sean White, and the defense will make a few crucial stops as Auburn walks out of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium with another big win.

Auburn vs. Ole Miss Score Prediction: Auburn 35, Ole Miss 27

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