George Harris
Nov 04, 2023 - 09:10

Ole Miss football Texas A&M score prediction scouting report SEC Week 10 game

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has praised Texas A&M's program ahead of their game, but not its coach Jimbo Fisher. Ole Miss and Texas A&M both have strong pass rushes. Ole Miss has a home field advantage, while Texas A&M struggles on the road. Special teams could play a significant role in the game. Ole Miss is predicted to win 24-20.

The highly anticipated matchup between Ole Miss and Texas A&M is set to take place at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and both teams are bringing elite pass rushes to the field. Texas A&M currently leads college football with an impressive 4.12 sacks per game, while Ole Miss ranks fourth nationally with 3.75 sacks per game. The Aggies are led by Edgerrin Cooper, who has 6.5 sacks, while Shemar Turner, Fadil Diggs, and Walter Nolen each have four sacks. On the Rebels' side, Jared Ivey leads the pack with 5.5 sacks, with multiple players contributing at least 2.5 sacks.

In their losses to Miami and Tennessee, the Aggies struggled to get to the quarterback, but they had a strong showing against Alabama, sacking Jalen Milroe six times. However, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart's mobility could be the Rebels' answer to Texas A&M's pass-rushing aggression. Dart has shown his ability to escape difficult situations in the backfield, which is not a trait shared by Max Johnson, who will be stepping in for the injured Conner Weigman under center for the Aggies.

Another factor to consider is the home field advantage that Ole Miss enjoys at the Vaught. The Rebels have only lost twice at home since the start of the 2021 season, while Texas A&M has struggled on the road, not securing a win since October 2021. When the Aggies visited Oxford that season, the Rebels scored the first 15 points in a 29-19 victory.

Special teams could also play a significant role in this matchup. Texas A&M has one of the top special teams units in college football, with an efficient punter in Nik Constantinou and a standout returner in Ainias Smith. However, Ole Miss has made improvements in their special teams under coordinator Jake Schoonover. They have moved up to No. 33 in the FEI ratings, with dangerous returner Jordan Watkins and reliable kicker Caden Davis, who has made 13 of his 16 attempts, including a 56-yarder.

In terms of a score prediction, it is expected to be a close game with both defensive fronts capable of dominating. However, with Ole Miss having the better quarterback in Jaxson Dart and the Aggies' talent not translating to success yet, the prediction is a 24-20 victory for Ole Miss.

David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger and can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @davideckert98. Stay updated on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.