It will be a battle for Auburn on Saturday as the Tigers travel to Oxford to take on Ole Miss. Gus Malzahn’s team is coming off a disappointing 30-22 loss to South Carolina while the Rebels were shut down by Arkansas in a 33-21 loss to the Razorbacks.
Both teams will try to get back in the winning column as the two meet at noon on the SEC Network.
Here are the predictions from the staff at The Auburn Wire.
Shea Brennaman
The loser of this weekend’s game will down come to which is worse: Auburn’s offense or Ole Miss’ defense. Last week the Tigers were unable to capitalize in the red zone against South Carolina during the last half of the game while the Ole Miss defense had a hard time containing Arkansas after quarterback Matt Corral threw 6 interceptions. Both teams look to turn it around this weekend, but I truly believe this game is a must-win scenario for head coach Gus Malzahn. For once I will give Malzahn the benefit of the doubt. I believe this weekend Auburn’s offense will rely more on runningback Tank Bigsby than they will their passing game. As always I expect this game to be ugly but I’m staying close to the line on this one.
J.D. McCarthy
The fewer points scored in this game the better Auburn will do. The Ole Miss defense is bad, but this Auburn offense has not shown the ability to win a shootout, which is what Ole Miss has to do. The pressure will be on Kevin Steele and the defense to step up, they need to either force a couple turnovers or make the Rebels kick field goals.
The offense will look better in a favorable matchup and will lean on a ground home that looks like the strength of the team and will win in a close one.
Prediction: Auburn 38, Ole Miss 31
Brian Stultz
My friends in the New York Auburn Alumni Chapter love to take shots at me in our group text and, when the opportunity presents itself, in person. They have known to give me crap about things I write during the week and after games, sometimes reading what I am typing over my shoulder. I miss this group since I have been quarantining down in South Florida, but once again, they won’t like what I’m about to write.
Does anyone trust Auburn to outscore Ole Miss here, even with the Rebels defense being one of the worst in the nation? I certainly don’t. Bo Nix is now a liability for the Auburn offense and only if the Tigers can go for over 250 yards on the ground will they will be able to pull out this game.
I don’t expect Chad Morris will give Tank, D.J. and Shaun the chance.
But seriously, if ever in NYC during a game weekend, check out the greatest alumni chapter ever at St. Pats Bar on 46th between 5th and 6th Avenues.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Auburn 24