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The Rebels lost a tough one on the road last week against a talented and feisty Missouri group. Now, Ole Miss returns home to host Texas A&M and to sell beer in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the first time ever.
The Aggies are coming off a throttling at the hands of Alabama and are looking to rebound just like Matt Luke’s squad. Jimbo Fisher and his bunch have had a bit of a roller coaster season, giving Clemson all they wanted on the road, damn near losing to Arkansas in Jerry World, losing by eight to Auburn, and getting boat-raced by the Crimson Tide last week. Still, their offense and defense are ranked 59th and 30th respectively so it’s quite peculiar how they have struggled at times.
The match up to watch this week is Ole Miss’ run offense versus the Aggies’ run defense. Rich Rodriguez’s run game powered by freshman sensation John Rhys Plumlee, Scottie Phillips, and a two-headed freshmen monster of Snoop Conner and Jerrion Ealy is currently 19th in the country (230 yards per game). They will do their best to churn out some offense against Mike Elko’s defense led by Buddy Johnson, Anthony Hines III, and Justin Madubuike.
But, possibly the one thing stealing the spotlight from the SEC West night game is that the University of Mississippi is now serving beer at home games. You better get to your seats early and grab you a couple cold water sandwiches before kickoff because I imagine everyone is going to want a couple Bud Lattes.
And remember, drink responsibly and have plenty of BON & VIV before going into the stadium.
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Red Cup Panel Predictions
Bob Lynch — Ole Miss 31, Texas A&M 30
A last second field goal wins it. I have no reason to believe this other than I want it to be true so there ya go.
One Man To Beat — Texas A&M 31, Ole Miss 28
The Rebels tie it up late, but Kellen Mond’s scrambling ability sets up a game-winning field goal to drive the final nail in the coffin for the Rebels’ bowl game hopes.
whiskeywednesday — Ole Miss 31, Texas A&M 24
I haven’t bet on Ole Miss yet, but I think A&M may have an offense we can keep in check and our offense continues to make strides.
TwoYardsandaCloudofEnricky — Ole Miss 28, Texas A&M 21
Matt Corral connects with Elijah Moore and Jonathan Mingo for scores, John Rhys Plumlee runs in the other two, all the while Jimbo Fisher wipes his sweat with a hundred dollar bill.
Ben Woodhouse — Ole Miss 31, Texas A&M 30
Rebs win it on a last-second field goal. John Rhys Plumlee runs for 100 yards, tying Cam Newton’s consecutive SEC games streak, and Matt Corral throws for 250 yards. It’s Ole Miss’ best performance of the year.
Gray Hardison — Texas A&M 39, Ole Miss 30
Seven games into the season and we can officially give Ole Miss “you are who you are” status. They’re a team with an offense that can go stretches without producing anything of note, then erupt for points, and a defense that can’t get stops against offenses with life. Unless Texas A&M farts away scoring opportunities, gives Ole Miss some easy scores, or wilts in the face of the Maverhys and Iceman quarterback rotation, it’s going to be hard for the Rebels to keep pace.
Zach Berry — Ole Miss 32, Texas A&M 31
I’ve gone back and forth on this one. But, I keep coming back to two things: Ole Miss has covered in every SEC game this season and A&M damn near lost to Arkansas. The Rebels’ 19th-ranked run offense will be tested by Mike Elko’s defense, but I think Matt Corral and John Rhys Plumlee make more plays than Kellen Mond and the Rebs remain undefeated at home in SEC play under the watchful eye of the Student Party Tents.
Juco All-American — Texas A&M 38, Ole Miss 28
The defense struggled against Missouri in both stopping the run and the pass. I kind of think that continues without Jacquez Jones and Tariqious Tisdale out the first half. Offensively, the Rebels will continue to be hampered by an inability to both pass AND run from the quarterback position in Rich Rodriguez’s offense.
Michael Borkey — Ole Miss 35, Texas A&M 31
The two-quarterback system you saw in the second half in Columbia last week works. Really well. And will continue to do so this week. Mond will get his but the Rebels have more explosive athletes on offense and that will be the difference.
Christoph Ludwig — Texas A&M 35, Ole Miss 30
John Rhys Plumlee and Matt Corral coexist seamlessly, but their strong effort isn’t enough to overcome another poor performance by the Rebs’ secondary as Kellen Mond throws for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
Nicholas Carr — Texas A&M 38, Ole Miss 28
Kellen Mond is a lot like Cal’s Chase Garbers. We saw what he did to that Ole Miss defense. Until the Jimmys and Joes change in the Ole Miss secondary, teams will continue to feast.
Grayson Weir — Ole Miss 42, Texas A&M 37
The Rebel defense continues to get shredded over the top, the Aggies can’t find an answer for the constant quarterback rotation, and John Rhys Plumlee scampers to the corner as time expires to win it in dramatic fashion.
How to watch:
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
When: 6:30 p.m. CST
TV: SEC Network
Online streaming: WatchESPN