Ole Miss returns home needing a response after its 34-27 loss to Texas, while Auburn arrives in Oxford looking to rebound from a disappointing defeat of its own at home.
The Rebels are 5-2 and cannot afford another stumble if they want to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive, especially with No. 3 Georgia coming to town next week.
Auburn is 4-3 after falling 38-17 to LSU, but the Tigers have already shown they can compete with elite opposition by upsetting Georgia on the road two weeks ago.
Ole Miss is favored by 11.5 points, yet star running back Kewan Lacy's absence could make this matchup more competitive than the spread suggests.
Here are three bets to consider for Saturday's SEC showdown at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Auburn vs. Ole Miss betting picks and predictions
Auburn +11.5 (-110)
Ole Miss has the stronger overall résumé, but laying nearly two touchdowns with the Rebels is difficult to justify given their current circumstances.
Lacy has been ruled out, removing a key part of an offense that has relied on Trinidad Chambliss to create opportunities through the air.
Chambliss struggled in the loss to Texas, throwing three interceptions as Ole Miss fell behind before mounting a second-half comeback.
Auburn's defense is not impenetrable by any means, but the Tigers should present a different challenge from Texas and the Rebels may not have the same balance without Lacy available.
Auburn also has a ground game capable of keeping the score within reach. The Tigers rank 36th nationally in expected points added per rushing play and quarterback Byrum Brown has become increasingly involved as a runner.
He carried the ball 20 times against both Georgia and LSU, giving Auburn a potential way to control the tempo and keep Ole Miss' offense on the sideline.
The Tigers were outgained 522-271 by LSU last week, so a much cleaner performance is essential. Still, Auburn has lost just one SEC game by more than 10 points before that latest defeat, making a 11.5-point cushion appealing.
Ole Miss could be a little sleepy to start this one, so Auburn can cover even if the Rebels secure the victory.
Over 57.5 total points (-112)
Chambliss has thrown for 1,926 yards with 16 touchdowns this season. His three-interception performance against Texas was costly, but he also helped the Rebels erase a 21-point deficit in the second half.
Playing at home could provide the reset he needs, particularly against an Auburn defense that allowed LSU to pile up 38 points last week.
The Tigers' offense can help push the total over the number, too. Brown has accounted for six rushing touchdowns on 126 carries and Auburn has shown the ability to move the ball effectively on the ground.
Ole Miss' run defense had been solid before Texas exposed it, creating an opportunity for Brown and the Tigers to find success.
Lacy's absence is a legitimate concern for the Over and Auburn cannot afford another performance like its loss to LSU.
However, a competitive game should give both offenses enough possessions to approach the high 20s. A final score in the range of 31-28 would clear 57.5 points.
Byrum Brown anytime touchdown (-130)
Brown is Auburn's leading rusher, with 479 yards. More importantly for this prop, he has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the Tigers' five SEC games this season.
Brown has carried 20 times in each of Auburn's last two games, against Georgia and LSU, and has increasingly looked for opportunities to make plays with his legs.
He has also recorded a run of at least 15 yards in all five SEC contests, including gains of 25 yards or more in each of his last three games.
At 6'3" and 235 pounds, Brown has the size to finish runs near the goal line rather than relying entirely on explosive plays.
That gives him multiple paths to a touchdown, whether Auburn uses him on a designed run near the end zone or he breaks free from farther out.
Ole Miss will need to account for Auburn's ground attack, especially without Lacy available to help the Rebels control possession.
Brown's consistent scoring record in conference play makes -130 a reasonable price for him to find the end zone again.
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Auburn vs. Ole Miss odds
Auburn | +360 |
Ole Miss | -470 |
Spread | Ole Miss -11.5 |
Total | O/U 57.5 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
