Auburn at Ole Miss – Preview and Prediction
AUBURN 3 OLE MISS (waiting for total)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Auburn -4.5 Sagarin ratings – Auburn -2.5
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: (Waiting for total)
Massey Ratings Projected Score: Ole Miss 32 Auburn 31
The Game
Can the Rebels bounce back ? Ole Miss lost their fourth game of the season on Saturday night to the LSU Tigers. They have played a really tough schedule, but nonetheless, their level of play has started to decline as the injuries and losses have piled up. As we said last week, we still think that this team is going to get it together in the Egg Bowl and whatever bowl game they are invited to attend. Yes, they will get six wins (we hope). Auburn has been a killing machine the last three games and look like one of the best teams in college football right now. They have outscored their opponents 250-99 YTD and that includes games vs Clemson, Texas A&M, LSU and Arkansas.
The Match-Up
Auburn offense vs Ole Miss defense
The #3 rushing offense takes on the #113 rush defense. Hmmm. Ole Miss is no pushover but right now they are just lacking in experience on defense and have been pulverized by good running games (Wofford 233, ROLL TIDE 334, Ga 230, Hogs, 200, LSU 311). Sean White is very underrated at QB and while the Tigers do not throw often, when they do, they believe it inflicting damage. They lead the SEC in pass efficiency and yards per attempt. Ole Miss is going to have real problems containing this JUGGERNAUT offense.
Ole Miss offense vs Auburn defense
Yes, Chad Kelly makes some mistakes, but he is tougher than a night in jail and can get really hot. The lack of running game continues to hurt the Rebels, and while they have a really good WR corps, they have dropped too many passes. Auburn is fantastic on 3rd downs (#13 FBS) and we feel that they can get more stops on defense and allow that offense to go to work. Ole Miss is #127 in time of possession (!) so will need to hit some big plays to stay in the game.
MEGA MORSELS
The under is 20-6-1 in the past 27 Ole Miss conference games…..Just to make things interesting for OBSESSIVE TREND GUY the over is 8-1 L9 the past 9 meetings at Ole Miss….QB Sean White has only thrown 2 INT all season….The Tigers have only given up 20 or more points once all season (Texas A&M).
Summary
Two teams going in opposite directions. The line has already moved from the Sunday opener but we still see value in this line. Ole Miss is in the 3rd game of a 3-game meat grinder and Auburn is hot and fresh (hello ?). CROWD WILL BE ROCKING GUY will be probably be on Ole Miss but we will take our chances with the better running game and better defense.
Conclusion
Official play: Auburn -3 -106 (sent out Monday 3:16 pm)