The grades for Auburn following the Tigers’ 47th meeting with Ole Miss, a 48-34 defeat in Oxford:
Quarterbacks: D
Auburn’s quarterbacks had as bad of a start as anyone could have predicted. Robby Ashford’s fourth interception of the year led to Ole Miss’ first touchdown, and a fumble by T.J. Finley during his only series of the game set the Rebels up for their third score of the game. Auburn leaned on the running game, leaving Ashford with just eight completions on 17 attempts for 140 yards and two interceptions. He also added two rushing touchdowns on the ground.
Running Backs: A
Tank Bigsby has dominated Ole Miss during his career at Auburn, and today was no exception. The junior running back had his best game of the season with 179 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns. Jarquez Hunter was a great change of pace as well, gaining 80 yards on just 10 carries during the game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: C
Auburn’s passing game was mostly nonexistent, especially in the second half, but that was not due to the inability of the receiving corps. Two key plays to Luke Deal and Koy Moore pushed some big drives into Ole Miss territory and the players combined for 44 yards after catch.
Offensive Line: C+
The revolving door on the line of scrimmage continued for Auburn with Jeremiah Wright and Brenden Coffey replacing Alec Jackson and Austin Troxell, who suffered injuries during the Georgia game. Despite the change, and some issues to start the game, the offensive line was able to push the pile against the Ole Miss defense and the offense had its most rushing yards of the year.
Defensive Line: D-
Ole Miss’ 448 yards on the ground is the most Auburn has given up in at least 22 years. Auburn felt the loss of Eku Leota more than ever, especially as the defensive line was banged up throughout the game, with Derick Hall and Marcus Harris each suffering injuries during the game. Ole Miss leaned entirely on the running game and the defensive line could not apply much pressure when Jaxson Dart stepped back to pass.
Linebackers: D
Auburn’s linebackers missed tackles all over the field, so Ole Miss was able to get to the second level of the defense and beyond at will. Wesley Steiner once again struggled to bring down ball carriers as the linebackers just did not help the defensive line out in the running game. Pappoe led the team once again with 16 tackles which was a high point for the defense but the rest of the unit struggled.
Defensive Backs: D
The defensive backs were much better in the passing game after giving up 109 yards through the air in the first half, holding Dart to just 21 passing yards in the second half. However, when challenged in space by the Ole Miss ball carriers, the defensive backs missed tackles and were unable to contain the Ole Miss offense.
Special Teams: C-
Oscar Chapman had his longest punt of the season, and Anders Carlson is 3-3 since the LSU game. Auburn’s kickoff coverage, which has been solid throughout the season, struggled today and gave the Ole Miss offense some great starting field position. Being unprepared for the Ole Miss onside kick was the difference in the game.
Coaching: D
A mixed bag across the board for this coaching staff, trailing by 21 early, and then mounting a comeback and scoring in the second half, Auburn trailed by 14 with just over six minutes remaining when the game went to a delay. Auburn came out of the delay needing points, but there was no cohesive plan for mounting the comeback as the offense wasted a timeout and about four minutes off the game clock before turning the ball over for the third time. The defense was categorically unprepared and outmatched for the Ole Miss offense as Lane Kiffin moved the ball at will.
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