One week ago, Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss looked like a potential battle for supremacy in the SEC West. Following an LSU win over Florida, an Aggies loss to Alabama and a Rebels loss to Memphis, the game’s new theme is survival. The winner stays alive for a bid to Atlanta, and the loser is all but removed from the race for the division crown.

Texas A&M was embarrassed 41-23 at home by Alabama last week. The Crimson Tide feasted on three interceptions by Aggies QB Kyle Allen returned for touchdowns. TAMU’s first conference loss doesn’t eliminate it from SEC West contention, but a second loss to Ole Miss would drastically impact the season outlook.

There will be no shortage of talent on the field Saturday night in Oxford, Miss., and the Aggies need their impact players to step up and be the game’s difference makers.

  1. DE Myles Garrett – The matchup between Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil, one of the best offensive linemen in the country last season, and Garrett, the current SEC sack leader (9), should be entertaining every snap the two players share. Tunsil could be rusty from his seven-game NCAA suspension, but his presence alone changes the dynamic of Ole Miss’ offensive line and how it protects QB Chad Kelly. Garrett looks to show that even with their best lineman back, the Rebels won’t slow him down.
  2. QB Kyle Allen – In the Rebels’ one SEC loss this season, Florida QB Will Grier had a career game throwing the football (24-for-29, 271 yards and four touchdowns). Allen has been one of the SEC’s top passers (1,537 yards in six games), but is trying to bounce back from a disastrous day against Alabama (20-for-40, 263 yards, TD, 3 INTs). His bounce-back effort could be hampered by a shoulder injury he sustained against the Crimson Tide. The Aggies’ chances against the Rebels rest largely on Allen’s night throwing the football.
  3. WR Ricky Seals-Jones – Ole Miss, along with every other Aggies’ opponent, is well aware of standout WR Christian Kirk. As Kirk draws more attention from opposing defenses, that means more opportunities for Seals-Jones. While Alabama focused on containing Kirk, Seals-Jones delivered a breakout game (6 catches, 107 yards, TD). The sophomore wideout has demonstrated his playmaking capabilities – look for the Aggies to get him more involved.
  4. DE Daeshon Hall – While the Rebels are busy worrying about Garrett, Hall could have himself a big day. When the Gators got to Kelly, they attacked from all sides, but Ole Miss OT Fahn Cooper had a particularly rough day with pass protection. With Tunsil focusing on Garrett, Hall might find a favorable matchup with Cooper. Hall has five sacks on the season, good enough for No. 4 in the SEC.
  5. RB Tra Carson – It feels borderline blasphemous to not give the final spot to another Texas A&M wide receiver, but if Allen is limited by his shoulder injury, that could mean more work for Carson. The amount of carries for Carson could be an indicator of how confident the coaches are in Allen. Carson got his heaviest workload in the opening game against Arizona State (29 carries, 96 yards, TD) and solidified his role in the offense with a solid night against Mississippi State (26 carries, 110 yards, TD).