One single matchup gives Auburn chance against Ole Miss

College football returns on Saturday with some intriguing Week 9 action out of the SEC as Ole Miss returns home in a matchup against upset-minded Auburn.

Fresh off a loss at Texas a week ago, the Rebels need to get back in the win column. Likewise for the Tigers, who followed a massive win over then top-ranked Georgia with a tough loss to LSU the last time out.

On the books, Ole Miss looks like the easy play and the big favorite. But what if the underdog had one ace up its sleeve that could make it closer than most expect?

More: Predicting SEC football scores for biggest Week 9 games

Where does Auburn have a chance?

The one weakness that Auburn can potentially exploit this week? It could be the Rebels’ continued vulnerability against the run.

Throwing the ball, the Tigers don’t pose too great a threat. They have 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, but dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown leads a backfield that can turn on pretty quickly if given the chance.

But there’s a caveat: they’re not terribly consistent. Auburn ran for 192 yards en route to that huge upset win at Georgia. The next week against LSU, that total fell to 67. And that was at home.

Ole Miss ranks last in the SEC in rushing yards allowed, giving up more than 161 per game to opponents on average. In the Rebels’ last game, they surrendered 222 yards on the ground, a costly loss at Texas. The loss to Florida? They allowed more than 300.

Why this matchup matters

Auburn’s quarterback leads the team with 480 rushing yards and six touchdowns with his legs. His ability to run on designed plays and improvised scrambles gives the offense another way to attack the Rebels’ defensive front.

Brown has shown he can exploit defenses on the ground. He totaled 115 yards and a score against Georgia. LSU then limited him to 21 net rushing yards the next week. That illustrates both his potential and Auburn’s continued need for consistent blocking.

What’s the catch?

Auburn’s offensive line has struggled with pass protection. The unit has allowed 30 sacks through seven games. Ole Miss can easily counter the Tigers’ rushing threat by forcing Brown into obvious passing situations and attacking the pocket.

The bottom line: Auburn’s best chance is to use Brown’s legs to attack the Rebels between the tackles and around the edges, sustain drives, and control the tempo. If Ole Miss can’t contain him, their biggest weakness could become the defining matchup of the game.

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