AUBURN, Ala. – An early wakeup call awaits the Auburn Tigers Saturday morning.
Next Game:
at Ole Miss
Oct. 15, 2022
11 a.m. CT
TV: ESPN
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
To arrive at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium two hours before the 11 a.m. CT kickoff means departing the team hotel in Tupelo at 8 a.m. for the one-hour ride to campus.
Aside from the expedited travel schedule, the bigger challenge will be trying to earn a road win against an undefeated ninth-ranked opponent.
Ole Miss ranks third in the SEC averaging 39.67 points per game and tops in the league with 21 rushing touchdowns.
Auburn has allowed only two touchdown passes this season, the fewest in the SEC.
"I do think it's a combination of getting to the quarterback, and then also your secondary doing a good job," Auburn coach Bryan Harsin said. "You want to be balanced on defense too. Don't give up the big plays. We're doing a good job there. But, at the same time, making sure that we're handling the run game."
Auburn has history on its side, including six consecutive victories vs. the Rebels. Last year, Auburn won 31-20 at Jordan-Hare Stadium when Ole Miss was ranked No. 10. The Tigers prevailed 35-28 in their last meeting in Oxford.
"It is going to be a challenge for us as we get ready for these guys to go on the road and again handle the noise, handle the travel," Harsin said. "It really comes back to us, what we have to do this week and our focus and how we get prepared to go out there and play another undefeated team."
Auburn and Ole Miss kick off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday on ESPN and the Auburn Sports Network.
Three questions with LB Owen Pappoe
Q: What is the team's mindest heading into Saturday's game at Ole Miss?
A: The team feels good. Obviously, we're coming off a disappointing week, but the guys have been really locked in to Ole Miss. We're looking to go in there this weekend and get a good win.
Q: How would you assess the linebacker group at this point in the season?
A: The linebacker room has been good overall. We did make some mistakes, just some small misfits. Some guys missed tackles – myself, I missed an open-field one that I'm still sick about. But we've been attacking those mistakes that we made and looking to correct those.
Q: How good does it feel to be back playing again after missing time last year?
A: It's the game I've been playing since middle school. I love it a lot. Being sidelined last year was really tough, but it just made me appreciate being out there this year even more.
Inside the Series: Ole Miss
Auburn holds a 35-11 advantage all-time against Ole Miss and has won six straight in the series, outscoring the Rebels 166-102 (27.7-17.0 ppg) in those games. The Tigers lead 17-3 in Auburn and 13-3 in Oxford. The series is tied 5-5 at neutral sites.
In last year's meeting, Tank Bigsby rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown to lead Auburn to a 31-20 victory in Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers were 35-28 winners in the teams' last matchup in Oxford during the 2020 season. Twelve of the last 18 games in the series have been decided by double digits; Auburn has a 10-2 record in those games.
Auburn is 334-264-18 all-time in SEC play dating back through 1933.
By the Numbers
65: John Samuel Shenker is now the Auburn career leader for receptions by a tight end. The senior passed Cooper Wallace (63; 2002-05) with five receptions last Saturday at Georgia, giving him 65 catches for his career.
0: The Auburn defense has held the opponent scoreless in the first quarter in five of six games this season, including last Saturday against Georgia. The Tigers have allowed only 25 touchdowns in the first quarter in their last 72 games.
60: Robby Ashford and Jarquez Hunter have combined for a 60+-yard completion in each of the last two games (61 vs. LSU; 62 at Georgia). Hunter is the only running back and one of 10 players nationally with two 60+-yard receptions this season. Ashford currently ranks second in the SEC and sixth nationally in passing yards per completion (14.81).
41.68: Auburn ranks second in the SEC and 16th nationally in net punting at 41.68 yards. Punter Oscar Chapman is averaging 44.2 yards per punt this season, the third highest mark in the SEC. He averaged 44.7 yards per punt on nine punts against Georgia.