Ole Miss hosts Auburn on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and the Rebels' air attack is the matchup to watch. Ole Miss throws for nearly 285 yards a game, while Auburn's defense gives up about 251 through the air. The Rebels are also unbeaten at home this season.
The Matchup
Away: Auburn Tigers (4-3, 2-2 at home)
Home: No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels (5-2, 3-0 at home)
Venue: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 31, 12:45 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network
Line: Ole Miss -11.5, O/U 57.5
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What Decides It
Ole Miss should be able to throw on Auburn all afternoon. The Rebels average about 34 more passing yards a game than the Tigers typically allow. That gap favors the Rebels' offense.
Trinidad Chambliss has 16 touchdowns against 7 interceptions, and Deuce Alexander has turned 43 catches into 610 yards. If Auburn cannot get Chambliss off schedule, the Rebels will pile up yards in chunks.
Auburn's running game is its way to stay in this one. The Tigers run for about 165 yards a game, and Ole Miss allows about 161 on the ground. On the ground, Auburn's offense has a slight edge over what the Rebels' defense typically gives up.
Brown leads the team with 479 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns. Through the air he has 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Auburn needs long, clock-eating drives to keep Chambliss on the sideline.
The total looks low for these two teams. Ole Miss and Auburn combine for over 61 points a game against a posted total of 57.5. Neither defense has been stingy, with both allowing roughly 24 to 25 points a game.
Ole Miss has scored at least 27 points in each of its last five games, and Auburn just gave up 38 at home in a loss. The market is asking for less scoring than these offenses have produced on average this season.
One caution for Rebels backers: both of their losses came on the road, including a 34-27 defeat last week. At home they are 3-0, and this one is in Oxford.
Players to Watch
Ole Miss Rebels
Passing: Trinidad Chambliss – 167-262, 1,926 YDS, 16-7 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Kewan Lacy – 78 ATT, 388 YDS, 5 TD
Receiving: Deuce Alexander – 43 REC, 610 YDS, 5 TD
Auburn Tigers
Passing: Byrum Brown – 134-209, 1,365 YDS, 8-7 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Byrum Brown – 126 ATT, 479 YDS, 6 TD
Receiving: Keshaun Singleton – 36 REC, 431 YDS, 2 TD
Prediction
Ole Miss wins, 35-24. The Rebels' passing game holds a clear edge over Auburn's pass defense, and Brown's running is not enough to keep pace if Auburn falls behind. Take Ole Miss to cover at home and the game to go over the total.