SEC Power Rankings: LSU – Alabama set up for another instant classic

Oct 31, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn reacts during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mississippi won 27-19. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

For the second straight week, the Auburn Tigers had plenty of opportunities to win an important SEC West game, but instead didn’t capitalize and fell 27-19 to Ole Miss.

Quarterback Sean White, playing with a knee injury that limited his mobility, completed 12 of 28 pass attempts for 258 yards with his first career touchdown (a 47-yard completion to Ricardo Louis) and an interception. Jeremy Johnson also saw action and completed one of three attempts for 44 yards, which included a failed Hail Mary at the end of the game where he was pressured and couldn’t throw to the end zone. Johnson also added 15 rushing yards on four carries.

Louis led the Tigers with 137 receiving yards on four catches and Ray and Tony Stevens were both on the receiving end of 44-yard passes in what was the most aggressive down-field passing attack for Auburn this season. However, the Tigers ran for only 125 yards – with 91 of them coming from Jovon Robinson, who hadn’t played in any of the last four games, and only 17 for a banged-up Peyton Barber.

In fact, Ole Miss outagined Auburn on the ground 156-125. And, the Tigers struggled in the red zone and settled for field goals of 23, 33, and 26 yards in the second half.

Aside from two big interceptions that stopped strong Ole Miss drives, the Auburn defense also struggled and allowed 588 total yards. On the bright side, star defensive end Carl Lawson returned from a hip injury and looked great early giving the Tigers a pass rush they have desperately missed while the junior had been sidelined since the season opener.

Next Game: Saturday November 7 at Texas A&M

Next: Tennessee