College Football Odds: SEC Week 9 picks against the spread
Oct 24, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) carries the ball against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Jarrett Johnson (40) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi Rebels beat Texas A&M Aggies 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday October 31, 2015
- Time: 12PM Eastern
- Location: Auburn, AL
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Spread: Ole Miss -7.5
- Over/Under Total: 57.5
The Ole Miss Rebels have been an up and down team this season, riding the highs of back-to-back 70-point outbursts in their first two games and beginning the SEC schedule with a win over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. However, things soured with a 38-10 loss to Florida and with a 37-24 loss in Memphis. Last week, the Rebels once again picked up a big SEC victory – this time in dominant fashion over Texas A&M – and still control their destiny in the SEC West.
Even without defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (who is expected to play against Auburn) and safety Tony Conner (who is not), Ole Miss played brilliantly on defense against Texas A&M and held the Aggies to 192 yards of total offense and 12 first downs. The Rebels also forced three turnovers, including an interception by Kendarius Webster. It wasn’t a complete blowout because the Ole Miss offense had four turnovers and struggled to finish drives, but the 23-3 victory was impressive.
Next up is an Auburn Tigers squad that has one of the worst statistical defenses in the SEC, having allowed 430.6 yards per game – including 199.9 rushing yards on average. If Ole Miss can run the football (and the Rebels ran for 230 yards against A&M), Auburn is in trouble.
The Tigers did not have a good first half of the season on offense, but have improved in recent weeks. Last week in the 54-46 four-overtime loss to Arkansas, Auburn racked up more than 400 yards for the second straight game and running back Peyton Barber had 120 rushing yards and four touchdowns, pushing his season totals to 770 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Ole Miss stuffed Texas A&M at the line of scrimmage (58 rushing yards on 27 carries), but Auburn should have more success.
The key to an Auburn upset is whether or not the defense can slow down an explosive Ole Miss passing offense built around quarterback Chad Kelly and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, but has many other weapons. It’s a tall task, and a win doesn’t appear likely, but expect a close game.
Next: Georgia vs. Florida