The Auburn Plainsman sports editor – Sam Butler
This game is going to be weird.
Both Auburn and Ole Miss have had extraordinarily tumultuous seasons, and this matchup isn’t anything like what both schools hoped it would be before the season.
The Tigers were expected to win the conference behind an improved defense under Will Muschamp and an even more prolific offense, with a talent-laden Jeremy Johnson-Duke Williams connection lighting up the scoreboard.
It’s been anything but.
Auburn has gone through a quarterback change, and Sean White will be making his fifth start since taking over for Johnson. Williams has been kicked off the team after yet another off-field incident. As a result, the offense has understandably sputtered at times, but they’ve shown the propensity to score when they need to. Peyton Barber has taken the starting running back job by storm, and he’s racked up 12 touchdowns on the season, as the ground attack has taken precedent while White hasn’t thrown a touchdown yet.
The defense on the other hand, has been atrocious. It’s currently ranked dead last in the nation, and I don’t see any reason Chad Kelly and Laquon Treadwell shouldn’t dissect them this week. It’s been gashed by injuries all season, too. Defensive end Carl Lawson, by far the best player on the team, played all of one half this season against Louisville before suffering a hip injury that’s kept him out since. He might come back this week, and if he does, that’ll help a ton but not enough to consistently force Kelly into mistakes.
Auburn’s sitting at 4-3, and coming off a 4OT heartbreaker to Arkansas up in Fayetteville. The guys were understandably dejected afterwards, and I’m not sure how much that’ll carry over to this week. They put a ton of effort into that game, and to come up short like that on the road is probably going to take a huge toll on them.
Ole Miss has looked really inconsistent, but they’re still miles better than Auburn. The Tigers have made every quarterback they’ve faced look like a Heisman candidate, and I don’t think Kelly will be any exception. Couple in the revenge the Rebels no doubt want to exact after last year’s game up in Oxford, and I see Ole Miss taking this one fairly easily.
Prediction: Ole Miss 42, Auburn 20
The Daily Mississippian sports editor- Dylan Rubino
I think it’s safe to say that revenge is on the minds of the Ole Miss Rebels.
We all remember what happened last season. Laquon Treadwell took a screen pass from former quarterback Bo Wallace, followed his blockers, dodged multiple defenders, stretched for the end zone and was tackled from behind. The tackle caused Treadwell to lose the ball before he crossed the goal line and broke his leg as a result.
Ole Miss fans have suffered many grueling losses in their lifetime, but that may be at the top of their list.
Treadwell said it best on Monday when it comes to the team playing Auburn.
“I’ll have an extra edge to me. They’re going to feel my pain.”
I think those comments from Treadwell will have a huge impact on the outcome of this game.
This is a different team than in years past. Media members, including myself, picked this Auburn team to win the SEC and make it to the College Football Playoff.
This team has heavily underachieved as quarterback struggles and a porous defense have Auburn standing at 4-3 and coming off a heartbreaking four-overtime loss on the road at Arkansas last weekend.
The defense ranks dead last in the nation in overall defense, even with the addition of former Florida head coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator.
Auburn still brings a strong running game to the table that ranks 52nd in the nation with almost 181 rushing yards per game, led by sophomore running back Peyton Barber.
I don’t see how a struggling Auburn defense and secondary can stop the Chad Kelly-Laquon Treadwell connection, and I see big numbers from both players. With Evan Engram getting back on track last week, I see him also getting big numbers for his best output of the season.
If there’s any extra motivation, Auburn cornerback Jonathan Jones called Treadwell “a regular receiver.” That should be enough for Treadwell to have his best game as a Rebel.
Prediction: Ole Miss 48, Auburn 24
