Auburn Football: 5 Reasons the Tigers beat the Rebels

4. Auburn will win the turnover battle

The Rebels have an atrocious defense. Alabama will make just about anyone look bad, but even in their non-conference slate the Rebels struggled to make the big plays on that side of the ball. That’s why they’ve forced just three turnovers on the season. Auburn has forced nine turnovers.

It’s hard to create any momentum when you’re giving the other team extra possessions. While the Rebels haven’t had too slippery of hands in the early going, that’s going to be tested against Auburn.

For a team like Ole Miss to beat Auburn they’re going to have to play near-perfect football. That’s hard to do against the pressure that the Tigers are going to bring and even harder when you’re thrust into an early deficit. Patterson is a talented young passer, but even he was limited to less than 50 percent passing and two interceptions against Alabama last weekend. Expect more of the same against Auburn, who have just two fewer turnovers forced on the season.

Turnovers come in droves. After the Tigers get their first takeaway there will be more to come, and that spells early trouble for Ole Miss.