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Matt Luke details challenges facing Ole Miss entering Auburn game
By Jake Rill
Published:
Ole Miss has lost four of its last five games, and the schedule doesn’t get easier with a road matchup against No. 11 Auburn on Saturday.
It will be a challenge for the Rebels, who are coming off their bye week looking to improve to 3-3 in SEC play. Their previous conference wins came against Arkansas and Vanderbilt, so they’re still looking for a signature victory.
One of Auburn’s strengths is its dominant defensive front, which is something that Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke discussed while holding his Monday press conference.
“Both offensively and defensively, they are experienced,” Luke told the media. “Look at their offensive front. They have all redshirt seniors across the whole front. This is an experienced group. Again, I think you have to eliminate negative plays, try to extend drives, and to make them play as many plays as you can. They will sub some, but I think it’s important to not have negative plays. I think that’s huge.”
The Rebels are hoping to have a strong November so that they become eligible for a bowl game. In addition to playing Auburn, they’ll also face New Mexico State, No. 1 LSU and Mississippi State over the final month of the regular season.
But Luke said his team isn’t looking too far ahead.
“You can always learn from the past, but this is a totally new team with a bunch of different faces with new styles on offense and defense,” Luke said. “The mindset is to try to win the next game and that’s what we’re focused on.”
Ole Miss and Auburn are set to kick off on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
