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Auburn takes on Ole Miss this Saturday in what many experts describe as a must-win game for both teams. Ole Miss (1-3) will be hoping to get its offense back on track after losing to Arkansas while Auburn strives to re-obtain a winning record after a loss to South Carolina knocked them out of the top 25.
Right now Auburn is a three-point favorite, but here’s what the experts have to say:
247Sports
Brad Crawford: Auburn 31 Ole Miss 27
What he says:
“I saw Auburn’s loss at South Carolina coming last week. Hammered the Gamecocks +3 and on the moneyline after calling the Tigers one of the Top 25’s most overrated teams for weeks. The early part of this week has centered around Gus Malzahn’s future on the Plains in the aftermath and rightfully so considering this team’s offense has been wildly inconsistent this fall. That being said, Auburn won’t lose to Ole Miss. This is my favorite bet of the week actually. I’ll take the Tigers and lay three.”
Chris Hummer: Auburn 27 Ole Miss 21
What he says:
“This should be a get right game for the Tigers’ offense. If Chad Morris is smart that means feeding Tank Bigsby the ball early and often against a run defense that’s allowing 6.2 yards per carry, third-to-last in the FBS. I do wonder, however, if Auburn is explosive enough if it gets behind early. As it is, I’m betting Kevin Steele steals Barry Odom’s formula to beat Ole Miss – don’t blitz, drop coverage, make the Rebels drive – and the Tigers bounce back.”
Bleacher Report
Kerry Miller: Auburn 34 Ole Miss 31
What he says:
“Leave it to Lane Kiffin to come in and destroy three of the SEC’s best 2019 defenses (Florida, Kentucky and Alabama) before a seven-turnover nightmare in a loss to Arkansas. The Rebels need Matt Corral to revert to throwing like he did for the first three weeks (76.1 percent completion, 360.0 yards, 3.0 touchdowns, 0.3 interceptions).
When Auburn has the ball, it’ll be mediocre offense against terrible defense. Bo Nix has not looked good at all thus far, but at least the Tigers have found something in freshman running back Tank Bigsby. He has eclipsed the century mark in two consecutive games, and Auburn would be wise to ride that tank to victory in this one.”
College Football News
Pete Flutak: Auburn 34 Ole Miss 30
What he says:
“Both teams have major problems, but give Ole Miss a wee bit of a break defensively – even if it’s a minuscule one. The Rebels faced Florida’s Kyle Trask, Alabama’s Mac Jones, and they dealt with the Kentucky’s Terry Wilson and Arkansas’ Feleipe Franks just like Auburn did.
Nix won’t be razor sharp, but he’ll be just good enough, Bigsby will build off his 111-yard day against South Carolina, and even on the road, the offense will look good for at least one Saturday.”
SportsbookWire
Cameron DaSilva: Auburn 35 Ole Miss 30
Athlon Sports:
Steven Lassan: Auburn
Mark Ross: Auburn
Ben Weinrib: Auburn
Ryan Wright: Ole Miss 38 Auburn 28 (ouch)
What Ryan says:
“Auburn’s defense is good, but Ole Miss’ offense presents a stern test given the firepower the Rebels boast. Similar to Alabama, Lane Kiffin has the horses to attack any defense on the ground and through the air. If the Tigers get the needed stops, can their offense do enough to keep Ole Miss’ defense on its heels?
The expected “soft spot” of Auburn’s schedule has turned out to be anything but and the Tigers still have LSU, Alabama, and Texas A&M left to play. But taking care of business against Ole Miss comes first. Unfortunately, for Auburn, Matt Corral gets back on track and leads his Rebels to a big home win.”
The Athletic
Stewart Mandel: Ole Miss 38 Auburn 30
What he says:
“If Vegas wants to keep making Auburn a favorite despite how poorly it’s played, then I’m going to keep picking against the Tigers. Bo Nix and that offense have not demonstrated they can put up enough points to keep up with an explosive Ole Miss offense unlikely to put up a second consecutive stinker like at Arkansas.”
Stewart Mandel has Auburn on upset alert, but little does he know that no Auburn fan can be more upset than we already are. If there’s anything we’ve learned from every expert prediction here it’s that Auburn needs to throw less and play Tank Bigsby more.