SEC Game of the Week Preview and Players to Watch: Ole Miss vs Auburn

By: Rich Douglas

The Rebels and Tigers square off in what is quickly becoming a battle for 4th place in the SEC West.  Auburn has surprised going 3-1 so far while scoring 114 points.  Ole Miss needs a win after laying an egg against Alabama last week, and is also 3-1.


When Auburn has the ball:
The Tigers have been able to move the ball on their drives, averaging 32.8 yards per drive over 5.6 plays. Theyve been able to convert 40% of their third down attempts this season, and have found success in the redzone scoring on 92% of their trips.  The play of QB Nick Marshall has not always been the most efficient, completing only 58% of his passes, but he's hit big plays to average nearly 8 yards per attempt.  He does need to protect the football a bit better, with 4 Ints to his 4 TDs, and needs to be more accurate on third downs with just a 53% completion rate.  Sammie Coates has been the catalyst in the passing game averaging 27.8 yards per catch, with 6 catches of 25 yards or more.  The running game though has been the calling card for Auburn's offense for years, and it continues here.  Tre Mason is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, with 9 runs of 10 yards or more.  He's also been a horse in the maroon zone, averaging 5 yard per carry and scoring 4 times.  Corey Grant has only 26 carries, but has made the most of them, picking up more than 10 yards 9 times as well, and has scored twice.  The Tigers offensive line has also been excellent in pass protection and opening running lanes.

The Rebs defense has recovered nicely after a shootout with Vanderbilt to begin the season, allowing just 4.8 yards per play.  They've been susceptible though on third downs still allowing a 42% conversion rate.  Serderius Bryant will try to continue to improve the defense, as the teams leader in tackles with 35 stops so far, with 4 of them for loss.  Other players frequently making trouble in the backfield are defensive linemen CJ Johnson and Robert Nkemdiche, the prized freshman.  Johnson has 12 tackles total, and a pair of QB hurries but no sacks yet.  Nkemdiche has 10 tackles with 2 passes batted down and a QB hurry.  Cody Prewitt is making a name for himself in the secondary with his 3 Ints, and has defended 4 passes with 22 tackles

When Ole Miss has the ball:
Bo Wallace has been solid in leading the Rebels offensive attack, completing 62% of his passes for 6.8 yards per attempt and tossing 4 TDs without an Int.  Bo is only converting about 35% of his third down attempts, but thats largely because a majority of them have been on third and more than 10.  Wallace is only averaging 2.8 yards per carry on his 44 runs, but has very large split in the first and second halves, where he's averaging 4.6 yards per carry in the second half versus just 1.1 in the first.  The passing game hasn't been overly explosive, but Donte Mcreief and Laquon Treadwell have combined for 37 catches and 438 yards.  TE Evan Engram is averaging 14.5 yards per catch, and has a pair of TDs.  The offensive line has held up, allowing pressure on just 7.8% of the dropbacks so far this year.  Like most of the SEC though, the offense runs on the ground game.  Jeff Scott is an explosive back, who averaged 8.3 yards per carry this year thanks to his 10 runs of 10 yards or more.  He's done a lot of damage in the maroon zone, where his 18 carries have gone for 107 yards and a TD.

The Auburn defense has looked very vulnerable at times this year, allowing a 40% conversion rate on third downs and nearly 6 yards per play to opposing offenses.  Robenson Therezie leads the team in tackles with 25, a pair of them for loss.  He also leads the team with a pair of Ints, Jonathan Mincy leads the team with 6 passes defended, with Ryan White and Chris Davis each breaking up 5.  The team has generated much more pressure than their only 6 sacks, which Cassanova Mckinly holds 1.5.  They've generated 41 QB hurries, with Montravius  Adams leading with five to go with 8 tackles and a sack.The front seven will need to be more stout against the run though, especially in the second halves of games where they've allowed 5.6 yards per carry.

What's our Take:
Auburn is playing much better than anyone would have predicted prior to the season.  Ole Miss is performing up to expectations, and possibly better with the amount of  young talent theyve brought in.  Both offenses average about 32 yards per drive, but the Rebels have been much better about not wasting drives, going three and out on just 31% of their drives opposed to the Tigers 38%.  The Tigers have played impressively at times but have been inconsistent, the Rebels should be able to gain the advantage in the West.