Auburn Football: 3 reasons Tigers will beat Ole Miss

1. The run game will finally erupt

To say Auburn’s running attack has been underwhelming is probably an understatement. Before the start of the season everyone thought Tank Bigsby would have Heisman numbers, but it just hasn’t happened yet. He has 526 yards on the season for 102 rushes and six touchdowns. He averages 5.2 yards a carry. Still good numbers, but not what he’s capable of.

However, what is most impressive is just how hard it is to take Tank down. Though his name might give that away it is something special to watch when you see him. Ole Miss will have to put several guys on him because you can’t take him down one on one.

Freshman running back Jarquez Hunter is eight yards shy of 500 yards now and two touchdowns on half the amount of carries Tank has. He is not your typical downhill running style of back, you will find him getting less snaps but bigger plays and more yards per carry. Hunter averages 8.6 yards a carry. He is another exciting player for the Auburn Tigers and with him already being this good, the future remains very bright for this freshman.

Bo Nix is also not shy about running the ball and he can do it well when the situation calls for it. He has carried the ball 40 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Tank Bigsby is always going to be the workhorse, but when he is tired you will find Jarquez Hunter with the ball so the defenses against the running game never get a break. That will help tear down the defense of the Ole Miss Rebels. It will also keep Bo’s arms and legs strong throughout the game when he doesn’t have to do all the work. Expect Shaun Shivers to get a few snaps too. He has had a couple of long exciting runs for the Tigers.

The Rebels will break the Tigers offensive line, we have seen most teams not have a problem doing that this season. The receivers will have to get open quickly and if they can’t Bo will have to use the power in his legs to move the ball.

Unfortunately that is going to tire him quickly. With the help of the one, two, punch of Bigsby and Hunter the running game is the biggest door victory and the best way to keep the momentum in Auburn’s direction. The Tigers win their games much easier with ball control, and control of the clock.

Bigsby not only has the potential be the SEC conference’s best tailback but even in the nation as a whole. The Tigers have got to be more concerned with opening up holes for Tank rather than throwing the ball to receivers who are barely catching. Because the road to the SEC West title goes through him.

The Rebels have not won in Auburn since 2015. With a more productive running game, a powerful defense, and a strong leader at the helm they will not win this year either. The Auburn Tigers will once again beat a top-10 ranked team. Boosting their spot in the national rankings as well.

Kickoff for the Tigers starts at 7 pm in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Airing on ESPN Saturday.