About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday will be just another day in the SEC for the Auburn Tigers as they will face another top-25 team.
Auburn will face its fourth straight ranked opponent on Saturday when it battles No. 12 Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. Saturday's game is the last in a brutal October stretch for Auburn that featured No. 17 Tennessee, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 13 LSU, and Auburn is 1-2 in those games.
Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs a play during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze talks to game officials while a play is reviewed during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks to a game official during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Kayin Lee (3) moves in to tackle Mississippi Rebels tight end Caden Prieskorn (86) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) has his catch broken up by Auburn Tigers cornerback Keionte Scott (0) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) dives forward for extra yards on a run in the first quarter Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) breaks free for a touchdown run in the first quarter Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Cam Riley (13) closes in on Mississippi Rebels running back Ulysses Bentley IV (24) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) is tripped up as he runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn Tigers wide receiver Jay Fair (5) drops a pass over the middle as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) and Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) shake hands after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks to pass as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers punter Oscar Chapman (91) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) Auburn Tigers kicker Alex McPherson (38) warms up before Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze and Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin shake hands after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 1 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs a play during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 1 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs a play during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 2 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze talks to game officials while a play is reviewed during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 3 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks to a game official during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 4 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Kayin Lee (3) moves in to tackle Mississippi Rebels tight end Caden Prieskorn (86) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 5 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Tre Harris (9) has his catch broken up by Auburn Tigers cornerback Keionte Scott (0) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 6 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) dives forward for extra yards on a run in the first quarter Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 7 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) breaks free for a touchdown run in the first quarter Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 8 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Cam Riley (13) closes in on Mississippi Rebels running back Ulysses Bentley IV (24) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 9 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) throws the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 10 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) is tripped up as he runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 11 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers wide receiver Jay Fair (5) drops a pass over the middle as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 12 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers quarterback Robby Ashford (9) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 13 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) and Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) shake hands after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 14 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 15 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks to pass as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 16 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Oct 21, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers punter Oscar Chapman (91) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports (John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con) 17 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers kicker Alex McPherson (38) warms up before Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) 18 / 18 Photos: Auburn's 28-21 loss to Ole Miss in 2023 Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze and Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin shake hands after the game as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi Rebels at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Mississippi Rebels defeated Auburn Tigers 28-21. (Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect) Auburn will need to have a strong showing on Saturday as bowl eligibility looms. But playing a ranked SEC opponent on the road will be a challenge. Here are five things Auburn must avoid at Ole Miss on Saturday to pull off another road upset.
Byrum Brown may not be a Heisman Trophy contender this season, but Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding respects Brown enough to scheme around him.
"Dual-threat guy, leads the SEC in quarterback run game, so you got to be able to account for him on base downs," Golding said of Brown this week (via Auburn Undercover) . "Obviously there's quarterback designed runs, and then the ability to extend the play. Really strong arm. I mean there's one of those throws about 75, 80 yards in the air, hits the guy in stride."
If Brown is not a dual threat on Saturday, it could affect Auburn's success.
The big injury news this week from Oxford is that premier back Kewan Lacy will be out for the Auburn game after injuring his shoulder in the Rebels' loss to Texas last Saturday. Missing the premier back usually affects a team in an important conference game, but Ole Miss has three options who could replicate Lacy's production: Makhi Frazier, JT Lindsey, and Shekai Mills-Knight.
Ole Miss' run game could be a factor if it does not have an "off game" without Lacy.
Opposing quarterbacks passed for over 200 yards in four of Auburn's seven games this season, including LSU's Sam Leavitt, who torched Auburn through the air last week with 387 yards. This stat does not bode well for Auburn as they prepare to face Trinidad Chambliss. Chambliss averages 275.1 yards per game through the air , and his lowest passing output was 213 yards in Ole Miss' win over Vanderbilt earlier this month. He has also been sacked only six times in seven games.
It could be another long day for the Tigers' defense if Chambliss is on his game.
Neither Auburn nor Ole Miss hog the clock. Ole Miss ranks dead last among SEC teams in average time of possession , averaging 26:41 per game. Auburn holds the football just nine seconds longer and ranks one spot higher than the Rebels. Ole Miss plays fast, so Auburn will need to hold the ball to prevent Ole Miss from scoring quickly.
Winning time of possession on Saturday will be critical for the Auburn Tigers.
Most people can not function in the morning without a cup, or pot, of delicious java. That was the case last week as Auburn lost to LSU by 21 points in its first morning kickoff of the season. Auburn gets another crack at it this week as its Week 9 battle at Ole Miss begins at 11:45 a.m. CT.
Will the morning kickoff be too much for Auburn to handle again?
Taylor Jones is the lead writer for Auburn Wire, part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) and BlueSky . Follow Auburn Wire on X and Facebook .
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Five reasons why Auburn could struggle at Ole Miss on Saturday
Source: Sports
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