Auburn vs. Ole Miss Prediction: War Tigers Eyeing Bulldogs Upset in SEC Clash

Auburn and Ole Miss will square off in a pivotal Southeastern Conference matchup on Saturday, November 12th. The Tigers, coming off a thrilling overtime win over Arkansas, will travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to face the Rebels, who are seeking their fourth consecutive victory.

Auburn’s Resurgence Under Freeze

After a disappointing 2021 campaign, Auburn has shown signs of improvement under first-year head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers currently hold a 3-6 record, including a 2-3 mark in SEC play.

Quarterback Robby Ashford has been a key catalyst for Auburn’s offense. The dual-threat signal-caller ranks among the SEC leaders in passing yards and has also rushed for over 400 yards. Running back Tank Bigsby provides a dynamic punch in the backfield, averaging over 100 yards per game.

Despite their offensive struggles, Auburn’s defense has shown resilience. The Tigers rank eighth in the SEC in total defense, holding opponents to under 400 yards per game.

Ole Miss’s High-Flying Offense

Ole Miss boasts one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. The Rebels rank second in the SEC in scoring, averaging over 40 points per game.

Quarterback Jaxson Dart has been a revelation for Ole Miss. The California native has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also contributing over 500 yards rushing. Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is Dart’s go-to target, averaging over 100 receiving yards per game.

The Rebels’ running back duo of Quinshon Judkins and Zach Evans poses a formidable challenge for opposing defenses. Judkins leads the SEC in rushing yards, while Evans ranks among the top five.

Key Matchups

Several key matchups will determine the outcome of this contest:

• Auburn’s Pass Defense vs. Ole Miss’s Passing Attack: The Tigers’ pass defense has faced challenges this season, while Ole Miss has one of the most potent passing attacks in the country. The Rebels will test Auburn’s secondary early and often.
• Ole Miss’s Run Defense vs. Auburn’s Running Game: The Rebels’ run defense ranks among the worst in the SEC, while Auburn’s running game is led by the talented duo of Bigsby and Ashford. The Tigers will look to exploit Ole Miss’s weakness in this area.
• Auburn’s Special Teams vs. Ole Miss’s Return Game: Auburn’s special teams have been a major factor in several wins this season. The Tigers will need to continue their strong play in this phase to put pressure on the Rebels.

Prediction

Ole Miss enters this game as a clear favorite. The Rebels have a more experienced and talented roster, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

However, Auburn has shown improvement under Freeze and is capable of pulling off an upset. If the Tigers can control the clock with their running game and force turnovers, they have a chance to surprise the Rebels in Oxford.

Prediction: Ole Miss 35, Auburn 28

Additional Insights

Key Statistics

• Ole Miss ranks second in the SEC in total offense, averaging 550.9 yards per game.
• Auburn ranks eighth in the SEC in total defense, holding opponents to 396.3 yards per game.
• Robby Ashford ranks sixth in the SEC in passing yards (2,114) and carries per game (14.0).
• Jaxson Dart ranks third in the SEC in passing yards (2,774) and rushing yards by a quarterback (519).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating Auburn’s running game. The Tigers have one of the most talented running back duos in the country.
• Ignoring Auburn’s special teams. The Tigers have blocked several punts this season and have a dynamic return game.
• Overlooking Ole Miss’s defense. The Rebels have forced 11 turnovers this season and rank among the top half of the SEC in scoring defense.

How to Step-by-Step Approach

• Step 1: Assess Auburn’s running game and how it can exploit Ole Miss’s run defense.
• Step 2: Identify key players from Auburn’s special teams who can make a difference.
• Step 3: Understand Ole Miss’s offensive strengths and weaknesses, including their passing attack and their ability to stretch the field.
• Step 4: Analyze Ole Miss’s defense and how Auburn can create opportunities to score points.
• Step 5: Predict the outcome of the game based on the above analysis.

Table 1: Auburn Team Statistics

Table 2: Ole Miss Team Statistics

Table 3: Key Players for Auburn

Table 4: Key Players for Ole Miss