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The Auburn Tigers (4-3, 1-3) look to bounce back after a disappointing 54-46 four-overtime loss at Arkansas last week. Still in need of two more victories to become bowl eligible, Auburn hopes to get one of those at noon (ET) Saturday in Jordan-Hare. But Ole Miss (6-2, 3-1) still controls its own destiny in the SEC West and looks to avenge last season’s loss that derailed the Rebels’ season.
These five Tigers could play a role in getting the team back in the win column:
- QB Sean White: Becoming more and more comfortable with the offense, White is able to manage the game while protecting the football. Though he has yet to throw a touchdown pass in 97 attempts, he hasn’t turned the ball over, either. As head coach Gus Malzahn pointed out in his weekly press conference, the Tigers have gone three games without a turnover. Understanding the progressions of the passing game has allowed White to throw for 805 yards and compile a passer rating of 131.6.
- RB Peyton Barber: The workhorse in the Auburn backfield, Barber continues to carry the mail for the Tigers. He toted it a whopping 37 times last week against Arkansas, rushing for 120 yards and scoring three of his four touchdowns in overtime. His 770 yards and 12 touchdowns are far and away tops on the team.
- K Daniel Carlson: In close games, a good kicker is always an asset. Auburn’s past three SEC games have been decided by eight points or less. Carlson is perfect on 23 PAT kicks and has connected on 10 of 13 field goal tries so far this season. A 56-yarder his longest, Carlson is 3-for-4 from 50 yards and beyond and 7-of-8 from 30 yards and beyond.
- DB Johnathan Ford: The Tigers’ leader in tackles with 72, including 44 solo, Ford will need to be around the football again on Saturday and add to his season totals of one sack, one interception and two forced fumbles. He recorded four tackles and five assists last week against Arkansas.
- DE Carl Lawson: You can tell when some is an impact player if that person has an impact and doesn’t even play. The leader of Auburn’s defense hasn’t seen action since injuring a hip in the first half of the season opener. But the senior returned to practice on Tuesday and, according to Malzahn, could play Saturday. Malzahn added that just having Lawson at practice has had a big impact on the team.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
