In preparation for Saturday’s primetime matchup between Ole Miss and Auburn, Saturday Down South is taking a look at a key matchup that may decide the showdown between the Rebels and the Tigers.

Ole Miss’ run game vs. Auburn run defense

Ole Miss suffered its first loss in Death Valley last week, and now it looks to rebound versus fourth-ranked Auburn.

The Tigers come in allowing 120.4 yards per game on the ground, sixth in the SEC. Tackles Montravius Adams and Gabe Wright, along with linebackers Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost have stuffed the run between the tackles. Auburn is allowing just 3.4 yards per carry.

The Rebels rank 12th in the SEC in rushing offense. In its last three games, Ole Miss has rushed for 160 yards, 180 yards and 137 yards, respectively. That wasn’t against a horrible Texas A&M defense that can’t stop the run, a Tennessee team that allowed a few big plays but held the Rebels to an average of 3.8 yards per carry and an LSU team that again allowed a big play to Cody Core.

Statistically, Ole Miss looks like a good running team, but the eye test says the Rebels are horribly one-dimensional. No back has stepped up to carry the load and take some of the pressure off Bo Wallace. To beat Auburn, however, the Rebels must have some semblance of a ground game. Otherwise, Auburn will be able to pin its ears back and create pressure on Wallace through blitzing.

We saw just how inept Ole Miss’ offense can be without a threat to run the ball. If the Rebels are going to keep its hopes of an SEC championship and College Football Playoff berth alive, Ole Miss’ ability to run the football will be key Saturday night.