#3 Auburn at #4 Ole Miss Preview and Predictions
By Nathan Deal
Oct 18, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; General view of the stadium during the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Tennessee Volunteers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Interesting Facts
- Auburn is 24-1 against Ole Miss all-time in seasons when the Tigers finish with a winning record. The only loss by a winning Auburn team against Ole Miss was 2003, when Eli Manning led the Rebels to a win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
- Auburn is 9-3 all-time in Oxford, Mississippi. Auburn’s losses came in 2012, 2008 and 1992. None of those teams qualified for bowls and combined to go 13-21-1. No bowl-eligible Auburn team has ever lost at Ole Miss.
- Ole Miss beat Auburn in 4 of the first 5 meetings between 1928 and 1952. Since 1971, however, Auburn is 26-5 against the Rebels.
- Kickoff returns have been nonexistent between Auburn and Ole Miss this year. How bad has it been? Auburn is tied for 122nd in the FBS in kickoff returns this year (280 yards on 14 tried). Ole Miss is 124th, worst in the entire FBS, with 277 yards on 15 tries.
- There’s a huge difference between these teams in regards to punt returns. Auburn’s Quan Bray leads the nation in punt return average and Auburn as a team ranks 6th. Ole Miss, meanwhile, is tied for 107th in college football in punt returns.
- Auburn has been explosive offensively in SEC games this season. In four conference games, Auburn averages 538.3 yards of offense and 37.8 points.
- With Auburn ranked 3rd and Ole Miss ranked 4th, this is Auburn’s 5th top 5 showdown in their last 11 games. It will also be Auburn’s 8th ranked showdown in their last 12 games.