With week six of college football rolling in, the landscape of the 2017 season is starting to take shape. Alabama and Clemson are undoubtedly still the best, and everyone else is playing catch up. Perhaps the more interesting races are happening within respective conferences, and the race in the SEC West could be shaping up to be a doozy. Alabama and Auburn are currently tied for first place in the West, and with the Tigers looking better and better each week, the Iron Bowl may prove to be a winner takes all ticket to the SEC Championship – and maybe the playoff??
That’s getting a little ahead of the game though, for now, the Tigers are set to face off against Ole Miss in an early game in Jordan-Hare Saturday. The game is set to broadcast on the SEC Network at 11 a.m.
Auburn is coming off back-to-back dominating performances against two SEC foes. The Tigers handed it to Missouri in a 51-14 offensive show, and whooped up on Mississippi State last week in a 49-10 victory. The Tigers’ offense has continued to improve each game, and shows no sign of slowing down. Jarret Stidham completed 13 of 16 passes for 264 yards, including a few bombs downfield that would devastate any defense. Kerryon Johnson racked up three touchdowns on the night, and took off for some long plays himself, including a 59 yard sprint on the third play of the game. The defense continues to match Stidham and company in quality of play. The stalwart Tiger D has not given up more than 14 points all season.
Ole Miss is coming off of an embarrassing 66-3 loss at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Granted the Rebels were up against arguably the best team in college football, a loss like that is demoralizing all the same. The Rebels hadn’t been doing that terribly to start the season. Quarterback Shae Patterson was cranking up 400 yards per game through the air. However, his weakness was ball control, giving up three interceptions in the loss to Cal.
So who will win Saturday? Auburn. Definitely Auburn. The Tigers are hot, and until they face a more well-rounded opponent, they don’t seem to be slowing down. While Patterson may be a threat in the air, Ole Miss has an abysmal running attack, averaging just 74 yards per game. With just three sacks on the season, the Rebels don’t have anything that resembles a pass rush and have been worse in defending the ground game. Kerryon Johnson and Jarret Stidham should have a field day against the Land Shark Defense, while Auburn’s defense should have no problem controlling Patterson and the Rebel offense.
Auburn vs. Ole Miss Prediction
Auburn – 47
Ole Miss – 13
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