Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More
In a way, both No. 3 Ole Miss and No. 14 Texas A&M are recovering as they prepare for Saturday's game with massive SEC implications.
One type of recovery is much more positive, though. Senior quarterback Bo Wallace and the Rebels are on the mend after a stunning upset of Alabama the week prior in what is quickly developing into one of the most fruitful seasons in recent program history.
Meanwhile, the Aggies are on the hunt for answers after their defense was exploited and their offense was ineffective in a 48-31 beatdown at the hands of Mississippi State.
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On paper, the matchup has the looks of a battle of strengths. But the Ole Miss defense will need to keep its bearings on the road while Aggies quarterback Kenny Hill and his offense get to rediscover a rhythm from the comforts of home.
The First to 40...
...Might win this game.
Wallace and the Rebels score nearly 36 points per game and just one game has not been decided by double digits this year—the 23-17 win over Alabama.
There, Wallace tossed three scores and 251 yards in a performance that etched his name into the books as a legend of the SEC. The senior has handled himself like so despite the feat, instead turning his focus to the Aggies.
"We now know what we thought we already knew," Wallace said, per The Associated Press, via ESPN.com. "We know that we can compete with any team in the country. Now it's just getting to work and making sure we take every day as an opportunity to get better."
The Aggies sputtered on the road to 526 total yards last week against the Bulldogs but went 5-of-17 on third downs and 1-of-3 on fourth downs, while the sophomore Hill tossed four touchdowns to three interceptions on 62 attempts.
Despite the misstep, Kevin Sumlin's team still ranks No. 3 overall with an average of 47.8 points per game and, as ESPN Stats & Info notes, tops the nation in efficiency:
Clearly, last week's hiccup was but a bump in the road, although one that was to be expected for a young quarterback in his first season as a starter. At home, look for Sumlin and Co. to mitigate the turnover issues with a balanced attack that features Trey Williams and Tra Carson, backs that average a minimum of 5.7 yards per carry.
At home, the Aggies might just be able to get back to their high-scoring ways.
Getting Defensive
Then again, this is not only one of the best defenses in Ole Miss history, it is a unit that ranks No. 2 in the nation with an average of 10.2 points allowed per game.
Regardless of whether this Alabama team is better than past iterations, the Rebels' ability to hold the Crimson Tide to 396 total yards, force two turnovers and a 6-of-16 mark on third down is a praise-worthy accomplishment.
Expect attitude on the defensive side to be a prominent factor for Ole Miss come Saturday. This is a Rebels team that was a footnote in Johnny Manziel's illustrious career the past two seasons, losing to the Aggies 30-27 in 2012 and 41-38 in 2013.
If a team is destined to shut down the offensive genius of Sumlin and the explosiveness of Hill yet again, it is the Rebels and senior corner Senquez Golson, who has four interceptions in five games, including the game-winning grab late against Alabama.
So while Wallace and the offense get the highlights, remember to not go into Saturday underrating what the Rebels can do on the defensive side of things. That in of itself may see Ole Miss to another epic victory.
When: Saturday, October 11, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
Television: ESPN
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 63
- Spread: Texas A&M (-2)
Team Injury Reports
| Anthony Alford | S | 10/01/2014 | has left the team | Out | personal |
| Chief Brown | DB | 08/03/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | Achilles |
| Matt Brown | TE | 09/08/2014 | is expected to miss 6-8 weeks | Out | leg |
| Carlos Davis | CB | 08/15/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | knee |
| Trae Elston | DB | 10/06/2014 | will miss the first half of Saturday's game against Texas A&M | Suspended | disciplinary |
| Collins Moore | WR | 10/05/2014 | is questionable for Saturday's game against Texas A&M | Questionable | knee |
| Tee Shepard | CB | 08/15/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | toe |
| Darian Claiborne | LB | 08/06/2014 | was dismissed from the team | Out | disciplinary |
| Isaiah Golden | DT | 08/06/2014 | was dismissed from the team | Out | disciplinary |
| A.J. Hilliard | LB | 09/02/2014 | is out indefinitely | Out | ankle |
| Malcome Kennedy | WR | 10/07/2014 | is probable for Saturday's game against Ole Miss | Probable | shoulder |
Injury reports per Sports Network, via USA Today.
Prediction
The Aggies do average 55.0 points over the course of five consecutive wins at home, but two strong outputs came against Lamar and Rice, while another was almost an upset at the hands of a physical Arkansas team.
There is no room for finesse Saturday night. The Rebels are an elite defensive team that can match the Aggies blow for blow on every down.
The offensive line in front of Wallace silenced the Crimson Tide's rush last weekend, so a Texas A&M front that leads the SEC with 20 sacks may be a moot point, especially with Wallace continuing to take superb care of the football.
Through a strong defense and a veteran leader under center, expect the Rebels to fend off an upset bid on the road.
Prediction: Ole Miss 40, Aggies 36
Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
