Texas A&M @ Ole Miss preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 6, 2012 ) Texas A&M 30, Mississippi 27

After losing back-to-back games at Alabama and Auburn, Mississippi returns home to face a well-rested Texas A&M squad. The ninth-ranked Aggies have won all five meetings against the Rebels, including last season’s 30-27 comeback victory in Oxford. The game features the SEC’s top two passing attacks, but Ole Miss' recent struggles continued in a 30-22 loss to Auburn last week, when it was held to three field goals before scoring two second-half touchdowns.

The Rebels could return to form against a Texas A&M defense that ranks last in the SEC and lost starting defensive tackle Kirby Ennis to a season-ending knee injury in a 45-33 victory over Arkansas on Sept. 28. Ennis’ injury is a major blow to the Aggies’ run defense, which is allowing 214.8 yards per game - 109th in the country. Texas A&M’s beleaguered defense turned in an encouraging outing against Arkansas, but the unit figures to be tested by an Ole Miss offense that averaged 38 points in its first three wins.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texas A&M -6

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (4-1, 1-1 SEC West): The Aggies have used a balanced offense to score at least 40 points in each of their first five games for the first time in school history. Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel leads the SEC in total offense with 361 yards per game, and sophomore Mike Evans ranks third in the country in receiving yards at 138 yards per game. Defensive back Deshazor Everett has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games and is second on the team with 31 tackles.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI (3-2, 1-2): The Rebels begin a stretch of six straight home games against a Texas A&M team that is seeking its 10th straight road win. Junior quarterback Bo Wallace threw for a season-high 336 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions last week against Auburn, but the Rebels will need a more balanced attack in order to keep Manziel off the field. Ole Miss boasts the SEC’s No. 2 pass defense, but the Rebels’ defensive line has been hit by a wave of injuries in recent weeks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas A&M has scored first in 17 of 18 games under coach Kevin Sumlin.

2. Ole Miss RB Jeff Scott rushed 21 times for 108 yards and a score in last year’s loss to the Aggies.

3. Manziel has surpassed 300 yards in total offense in 15 of 18 career games.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 41, Ole Miss 27