Previews and Predictions: No. 10 Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M
OXFORD, Miss. — The panel is back for another edition of the ‘Previews and Predictions series.’ This time we take a look at the Rebels’ upcoming contest against Texas A&M. Ole Miss fans should be riding high after seeing the team placed in the Top 10 of the College Football Playoff ranking for the fourth time since the playoffs started back at the conclusion of the 2014 season. Now, nearly 10 years later, the Rebels are looking to make their case down the stretch.
In this matchup, Ole Miss will face a Texas A&M team that will no longer be a mainstay on the Rebel schedule with the upcoming changes to the SEC format next season. Lane Kiffin has had success against the Aggies since becoming the head coach at Ole Miss. Kiffin is currently 2-0 (they didn’t play in the COVID season) and has the potential extend that streak to three on Saturday.
Coach Kiffin expects that to be a daunting task.
“Huge challenge this week. These guys are absolutely loaded, it’s actually a mind-blowing collection of talent. As you watch them offensively, defensively, return game, special teams, it really is an NFL roster. Height, weight, speed, explosiveness. Receivers that can score at any time, and great running backs. Their defense is playing as well as anyone in the country. The collection of defensive line has to be one of the best ever. And the linebacker [Edgerrin Cooper] is playing like the SEC Player of the Year. It’ll take a great week of practice, great preparation and great scheme to play these guys. This is a huge challenge. They’ve done a phenomenal job of getting a collection of players that are extremely elite and talented players. Even better than a year ago. This is a big challenge.“
Before we go any farther, I want to highlight our panel for this series and thank them for participating throughout the seasson. If you haven’t yet, please give each of them a follow, and follow The Rebel Walk, as well.
Zach Moreth — The Rebel Walk
Grayson Weir – BroBible
Kam Wicker – The Rebel Walk
Caleb Salers – SuperTalk Mississippi
Tyler Komis – Inside The Rebels/247Sports
TJ Oxley – The Rebel Walk
Game Details
- Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 4th 11:00 AM CT
- TV: SEC Network
- Radio:
- OleMissSports.com
- Memphis: WHBQ-AM 560
- Oxford: WOXF-FM 105.1
- Jackson: WFMN-FM 97.3
- Betting Lines (as of at 10:10 a.m. Friday)
- Ole Miss: – 3
- O/U: 53
- Ole Miss Moneyline: -150
- Texas A&M Moneyline: +126
Texas A&M Scouting Report
The Aggies enter this contest at 5-3 and 3-2 in the SEC. Their three losses came at the hands of Miami, Alabama, and Tennessee. While the record isn’t ideal, Texas A&M has played a quality schedule and has had success in a similar way to Ole Miss with their ability to get pressure. While Ole Miss is 4th in the nation in total sacks on the season, Texas A&M leads the nation in the category. Offensively, the Aggies have been hot and cold on the year as inconsistencies have slowed them down. The quarterback position is being manned by Max Johnson after Conner Weigman suffered a foot injury that’s going to hold him out for the rest of the season.
If you’re interested in reading more about Texas A&M and their personnel check out more here:
Predictions
Zach Moreth – The Rebel Walk
Ole Miss 31, Texas A&M 23
Prediction: Ole Miss will have its way in the passing game against a very talented Texas A&M defense. Most importantly, the A&M defensive line leads the nation in sacks so it will be important for Ole Miss to get the ball out quickly, and with Jordan Watkins coming back to full strength, I believe this goal is achievable for the Rebs. On the defensive side, Pete Golding needs to attack Max Johnson and force him to move around uncomfortably. If Ole Miss can limit explosive plays, the defense will be just fine. It will be a close one, but give me the Rebs on top.
X-factor: Jordan Watkins
Kam Wicker – The Rebel Walk
Ole Miss 31, Texas A&M 20
The run game will be key for Ole Miss. The Aggie defense is 2nd in the SEC in rushing yards allowed per game and allowing the fewest total yards per game. Assuming the pressure will be on QB Jaxson Dart early, look for the Rebel running backs to try and create opportunities for the passing attack to open up.
Bold Prediction: Ole Miss defense outplays the A&M defense. Pete Golding has been a ‘home run’ hire so far for the Rebels and they continue to improve every week. Expect the Ole Miss D-Line to continue its strong pass rush and allow the DBs to make some plays.
Tyler Komis – Inside the Rebels
Ole Miss 30, Texas A&M 20
Ole Miss’ offensive line impresses and steps up to the plate in a big way considering the challenge up front.
Bold Prediction: Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley both gain 100 total yards each.
Caleb Salers – SuperTalk Mississippi
Ole Miss 31, Texas A&M 20
Lane Kiffin advances to 3-0 against Texas A&M during his tenure in Oxford. While the Aggies’ defensive line poses a threat to the Rebels’ rushing attack, Jaxson Dart will be able to make enough big plays to put the Rebels on top. Defensively, the Rebels will exploit Texas A&M’s shaky offensive line and sack Max Johnson multiple times.
Grayson Weir – BroBible
Ole Miss 20 — Texas A&M 13
Unlike years prior, this game comes down to the defense. The Rebels offensive line will struggle to get a steady push against one of the best defensive fronts in the country, but the 1-2 punch in the backfield will do enough to get loose early. As a result, the Aggie defense will stack the box. That should allow Jaxson Dart to connect on a few crucial deep balls to move the chains in the second half. On the flip side, the Ole Miss defense has a chance to make a statement against a Texas A&M offense that has been largely incompetent. Living in the backfield will not be an issue, which will force Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino to try and get creative. It will fail. Frustration will ensue, and a funky turnover will prove to be the difference!
TJ Oxley – The Rebel Walk
Ole Miss 28, Texas A&M 24
Nothing new with me, either. This game is going to come down to the defensive line. The Texas A&M offensive line has struggled against some of the stronger defensive groups they’ve faced this season. Going a little deeper we can see a couple of points of emphasis that Ole Miss can hone in on. The two A&M tackles Chase Bisonitis and Trey Zuhn have had some up and down performances on the year. Bisonitis has a PFF pass blocking grade of 37.8 this entire season. Zuhn rated at a 74.8 but in the three games against Miami, Alabama, and Tennessee that figure dips to a 54.
The Ole Miss edge group can capitalize by creating pressure on the edge. Look for the trio of x-factors below to be heavily involved as the Rebels continue to have success in creating sacks. This one stays tighter than fans may like but a big turnover seals it in the fourth.
X-Factor: The Trio of Isaac Ukwu, Cedric Johnson, and Suntarine Perkins
TJ Oxley
TJ Oxley is the Vice President of Operations and the Director of Community Relations for The Rebel Walk. He is also the Director of Basketball Content and Senior Basketball Writer. He has over five years of experience providing in-depth analysis of college basketball through multiple platforms. A former MBA graduate of Ole Miss, TJ started with The Rebel Walk in 2019.
