Quarterback
- Chad Kelly
- DeVante Kincade
Note: Chad Kelly is coming off of an outing against Texas A&M in which he threw three interceptions. If he can limit the turnovers it could be smooth sailing for the Rebels come Saturday.
Running Back
- Jaylen Walton
- Jordan Wilkins
Note: Last weekend, this Ole Miss offense looked great running the football after trying to find a run game all season. The Rebels rushed for 230 yards on 51 attempts with Jaylen Walton being the leading rusher with 97 yards. Don’t think we won’t see any of Akeem Judd as well as he had 12 carries for 68 yards which averages to about six yards a carry.
Wide Receiver
- Laquon Treadwell
- Damore’ea Stringfellow
Note: Just like any other week, the opposing defenses will throw their best at Laquon Treadwell and that will be the 5’10 senior corner Jonathan Jones. Jones has yet to have an interception but should still be trusted with the task of guarding Laquon Treadwell who has a combined 19 receptions in the past two games for over 200 yards.
Wide Receiver
- Cody Core
- Derrick Jones
Note: Cody Core was targeted just one time last weekend but didn’t come down with a catch against Texas A&M. Cody Core will be playing in front of his family and friends being from Auburn and hopefully he will have a big game to get back on track as a prime target for Kelly.
Slot Receiver
- Quincy Adeboyejo
- Markell Pack
Note: Quincy Adeboyejo was a favorite target of Chad Kelly last weekend as he was thrown to 10 times and came down with seven catches for 35 yards. Adeboyejo should have had his seventh receiving touchdown but it was called back after a very questionable chop block call. Adeboyejo is tied for first in the conference in receiving touchdowns with six.
Tight End
- Evan Engram
- Taz Zettergren
Note: Evan Engram had a good game last weekend as he caught his first touchdown of the season on a bullet from Chad Kelly. Engram also broke the record for most receiving yards by a Rebel tight end.
Left Tackle
- Laremy Tunsil
- Talbot Buys
Note: It was evident the difference that Laremy Tunsil makes to this offense from last weekend with a dominant run performance which led to the play action deep passes. Talbot Buys will probably be named the second string left tackle following Christian Morris going down with a spinal cord contusion last weekend.
Left Guard
- Javon Patterson
- Aaron Morris
Note: Aaron Morris was called for three false start penalties last weekend against Texas A&M. I think we will see the freshman Javon Patterson get the start this weekend.
Center
- Ben Still
- Justin Bell
Note: With Robert Conyers out with an ACL tear, we don’t have a great option at back up center. Last weekend they held him out of starting at right guard so I think we will see the same as Bell backs up Still at center. They will still probably get the same amount of time.
Right Guard
- Rod Taylor
- Jordan Sims
Note: Rod Taylor got his first start of the season last weekend against Texas A&M games and did not have any big mistakes. He gets the start again against Auburn.
Right Tackle
- Fahn Cooper
- Sean Rawlings
Note: Fahn Cooper has not missed a start this season with the first seven outings coming at left tackle and the last one coming at right tackle. He will play a key role in having to contain blocks for the running game of Ole Miss that will bounce it outside a time or two with Jaylen Walton.
Defensive End
- Fadal Brown
- Channing Ward
Note: Fadol Brown leads this Rebels defense in quarterback hits with a total of nine times he has gotten to and hit the quarterback this year. He will need to get back there to Sean White who doesn’t throw it often but when he does it could be the deep pattern to Ricardo Louis. Brown, along with the rest of the defensive line, will have to disrupt White in these situations.
Defensive Tackle
- Robert Nkemdiche
- Breeland Speaks
Note: Robert Nkemdiche missed last weekend with headaches after suffering a concussion against Memphis on a fourth down carry. Breeland Speaks started last week and it seemed like he was in the backfield every play. This week, Nkemdiche still went through those concussion protocols again but should be able to play.
Nose Tackle
- Woodrow Hamilton
- D.J. Jones
Note: Woodrow Hamilton and D.J. Jones will play a key role in not letting the offensive linemen of Auburn open up big gaps on them. If we can fill these gaps, the Peyton Barber running game of Auburn should be little to no factor.
Defensive End
- Marquis Haynes
- John Youngblood
Note: Marquis Haynes did not get the start last weekend but played the majority of the game. It may have just been something to throw that A&M defense off. Auburn has given up a total of 11 sacks. This could be a big statistic to watch for Haynes who has 5.5 sacks so far this season.
Outside Linebacker
- Denzel Nkemdiche
- DeMarquis Gates
Note: Denzel Nkemdiche is coming off of a quiet game to his standards in a game against Texas A&M where he only tallied four tackles. Against an Auburn team that will run it about 30 times with Peyton Barber, these linebackers will have to make the open field tackles.
Middle Linebacker
- C.J. Johnson
- Terry Caldwell
Note: C.J. Johnson played at defensive end last weekend despite being a little banged up. I believe he will be able to move back to his normal position at linebacker.
Nickel
- Mike Hilton
- A.J. Moore
Note: Mike Hilton only totaled for one tackle and it went for a loss of yardage. Mike Hilton won’t be afraid to be aggressive if White and the Auburn offense opt to go downfield.
Cornerback
- Kendarius Webster
- Carlos Davis
Note: Kendarius Webster will more than likely be guarding the 6′ 3 senior Melvin Ray. He had a nice confidence building week against Texas A&M as he came down with his first interception of the season which kept the momentum on the Rebel sideline. An interception like that could be needed from him this week.
Cornerback
- Tony Bridges
- Kailo Moore
Note: Tony Bridges is the man who will probably be guarding Ricardo Louis who has been such a threat for this Auburn offense. Louis has more catches than half of what their second reception leader has. Louis has 32 receptions for 426 yards and a touchdown.
Free Safety
- J. Hampton
- Chief Brown
Note: C.J. Hampton could bring some blitzes to disrupt Sean White and could also have to help double team Ricardo Louis.
Rover
- Trae Elston
- C.J. Moore
Note: Trae Elston looked great last weekend as he was all over the place to put up arguably his best performance of the season. In response to the great game he had, he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week last week.
Kicker
- Gary Wunderlich
- Andy Pappanastos
Note: Gary Wunderlich made three of four field goals last weekend. Any time we get inside the range of Wunderlich, we need to convert on those opportunities.
Punter
- Will Gleeson
- Gary Wunderlich
Note: Both Will Gleeson and Gary Wunderlich had three punts last game with one of Wunderlich’s punts going for 73 yards on a Ole Miss roll. Both of them could be used and will be vital in reserving the field.
Kickoff Specialist
- Nathan Noble
- Gary Wunderlich
Note: Nathan Noble will be in charge of kicking them out of the back endzone again this week. He limited Christian Kirk last week from getting his hands on the ball for a big return and should do the same this week.
Grant Daniels, a student at Oxford High School, is a sports correspondent for HottyToddy.com. Email him at hottytoddynews@gmail.com
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