Ole miss vs auburn game preview

After a disappointing loss at Texas, the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels return home to face the Auburn Tigers. Ole Miss enters 5-2, and Pete Golding’s team needs a response to keep its playoff hopes alive. Auburn enters 4-3 after a 38-17 loss to LSU, just one week after beating Georgia on the road. Alex Golesh’s team has shown it can pull off an upset, but the Tigers need a more consistent performance to leave Oxford with another ranked win.

Ole Miss will rely on Trinidad Chambliss to lead its offense. Chambliss has thrown for 1,926 yards and 16 touchdowns, giving the Rebels a quarterback who can threaten defenses from the pocket and extend plays outside it. Auburn needs to pressure him without letting him escape and wait for receivers to get open downfield. Keeping him contained will matter as much as getting into the backfield, especially when the Tigers have a chance to get off the field on third down.

The Rebels will be without running back Kewan Lacy, who is out with a shoulder injury. His absence puts more responsibility on Chambliss and gives Auburn a reason to challenge Ole Miss to establish the run. The Tigers still cannot become too aggressive against the pass and leave running lanes open. Elijah Melendez enters with a team-leading four sacks, but Auburn needs its entire front to stay disciplined. Forcing Chambliss to throw under pressure gives the Tigers a better chance than chasing him after he breaks contain.

Auburn’s offense will be led by Byrum Brown, who has thrown for 1,365 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 480 rushing yards and six scores. His legs give the Tigers another way to move the ball, but Auburn needs enough production through the air to keep Ole Miss from loading up against the run. Keshaun Singleton leads the team with 36 catches for 431 yards and gives Brown a target when the Rebels bring extra defenders toward the line. Auburn should look to get him involved early with throws that help Brown settle in.

The Tigers have an opportunity against an Ole Miss defense that enters last in the SEC against the run. Establishing that part of the offense would help Auburn avoid obvious passing situations and keep Chambliss on the sideline. The Rebels forced three turnovers against Texas, so Brown cannot give them short fields with careless decisions. Auburn has played without a turnover in each of its last two games and needs that to continue. Sustained drives would also give its defense time to recover between possessions.

Although Auburn has already shown they can win a difficult road game, I expect Ole Miss to respond at home. Brown’s mobility and the Rebels’ struggles against the run should give the Tigers opportunities to keep this competitive. Lacy’s absence could also make it harder for Ole Miss to pull away early. Still, I trust Chambliss to produce enough through the air and make the plays the Rebels need late. I got Ole Miss winning 31-23, keeping its playoff hopes alive and handing Auburn its second straight loss.