Ole Miss Week 7 Opponent Preview: Auburn Tigers
One school is riding high while the other is sinking low. Week 7's matchup between Ole Miss and Auburn should be enticing enough, right?
Auburn will be traveling to Vaught-Hemingway fresh off a road trip to Athens to face the defending champs in Georgia. Meanwhile, the Rebels should be well rested after returning from Nashville facing Vanderbilt. Needless to say, one team might be sitting on pins and needles while the other is relaxed.
Auburn is at a crossroads in its program's history. One year after firing Gus Malzahn, boosters contemplated firing Bryan Harsin after minimal success down the stretch. Things haven't necessarily improved on The Plains since multiple players elected to enter the transfer portal while little joined the roster in return.
The expectation for Ole Miss is to build off its first 10-win regular season. Of course, anything can happen in the dreaded SEC West come Saturdays in October.
Keep in consideration that Auburn has been the Rebels' biggest challenge in recent memory. Ole Miss hasn't defeated the Tigers since 2015 when Hugh Freeze led the Rebels to a Sugar Bowl victory over Oklahoma State and top 10 finish in the AP standings.
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Auburn Tigers
2021 Record: 6-7 (3-5 SEC)
Offensive schemes: Multiple
Defensive schemes: Multiple, predominantly 4-2-5
Head Coach: Bryan Harsin (6-7)
Harsin is entering his second season with Auburn.
Returning starters on offense: 7
The good news for Auburn is it'll be a veteran roster this fall. The bad news is that might not be the best plan for Harsin after the struggles from 2021. The Tigers return four starters on the offensive line, as well as standout running back Tank Bigsby and super senior tight end John Samuel Shenker.
Replacing Bo Nix's presence under center is essential. After failing to build a connection with then-offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Nix transferred to Oregon where he'd reunite with former Auburn coordinator Kenny Dillingham. The hope is that either TJ Finley or Texas A&M transfer Zach Calzada can contribute right away, thus keeping the Tigers competitive.
It should be an even playing field with new offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau taking over for Bobo in Year 2.
Projected offensive starters:
QB TJ Finley OR Zach Calzada
RB Tank Bigsby*
WR (Z) Malcolm Johnson Jr.
WR (X) Shedrick Jackson*
WR (H) Ja’Varrius Johnson
TE John Samuel Shenker*
LT Kilian Zierer
LG Brandon Council*
OC Nick Brahms*
RG Keiondre Jones*
RT Austin Troxell*
* denotes returning starter
Returning starters on defense: 5
Auburn finished eighth among SEC teams in total defense with coordinator Derek Mason calling the shots. One season was enough for Harsin and Mason to mutually part ways after falling out of the top 50 in total defense among all FBS programs.
The Tigers are returning both of their top pass rushers in Colby Wooden and Derick Hall. Senior linebacker Owen Pappoe should take over as the field general for Zakoby McClain. The same could be said for Nehemiah Pritchett, who is set to be the new top cornerback following the departure of Roger McCreary.
The secondary will be Auburn's biggest question mark. Four of its five starters are being replaced, including both safeties and the team's big nickel.
Projected defensive starters:
EDGE Derick Hall*
DT Marcus Harris*
NG Jayson Jones
DE Colby Wooden*
MLB Owen Pappoe*
WLB Wesley Steiner
CB Nehemiah Pritchett*
CB Jaylin Simpson
NB Donovan Kaufman
S Cayden Bridges
S Zion Puckett
* denotes returning starter
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