For the second week in a row, the Auburn Tigers will take on an opponent that they have not seen since the 2023 season, this one coming against the Ole Miss Rebels.
Alex Golesh’s squad will hit the road for Oxford holding a 4-3 record and 2-3 mark in SEC play, coming off of a disappointing 38-17 loss at the hands of the LSU Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
It is the challenge of responding from the defeat that Auburn has to deal with now, as the Tigers remain two wins away from achieving their first bowl game berth since 2023.
For the Rebels, this game is all about bouncing back as well, as they lost to the Texas Longhorns on the road 34-27 in a game that they had the chance to tie on the final play.
Ole Miss is now at 5-2 on the year with a 3-2 conference record, looking to achieve bowl eligibility in this game, as well as keep its hopes of being in the College Football Playoff on the line. Head Coach Pete Golding is in his first full season with the program after taking over in the playoffs last season following Lane Kiffin’s departure.
With the action just a few days away, here are some critical players to watch for both teams that could make a difference on Saturday.
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Ole Miss Rebels
Trinidad Chambliss (QB):
When bringing up the topic of the Rebels in the last couple of seasons, it is impossible to talk about the performance on the field without mentioning quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. A true candidate to win the Heisman Trophy this season, Chambliss currently sits third in the SEC in passing yards with 1,926 so far. However, it is truly his ability to create time in the pocket with his feet and stay composed that makes him stick out as a quarterback. Auburn Head Coach Alex Golesh has touted Chambliss’ poise and calmness, saying that the veteran is going to be a challenge to stop on Saturday because of that.
Horatio Fields (WR):
There are a few players in this game that will have come from the other sideline in their career, and one of those is Horatio Fields, who has become one of Chambliss’ more reliable wide receivers in recent games. Fields spent one year on the Plains, but an injury ended his season. He transferred to Ole Miss in the offseason and recently had two touchdowns catches in the loss to Texas. Fields’ ability to go up and make a play on the ball as a perimeter receiver pins him to be a solid target. Against a Tigers secondary that has been weaker this season, he has a chance to make a handful of plays on Saturday.
Luke Ferrelli (LB):
One of many stout linebackers in the conference this season, Ferrelli is a young buck that is turning a lot of heads and has a future waiting for him in the NFL. With 44 total tackles, he is second on the team at this point in the season. While his youth continues to give him plenty of room to grow, he has been a reliable leader on the defensive side of the football for Golding, patrolling the middle of the field and making a statement after a solid first year in the college game at Clemson.
Auburn Tigers
Jeremiah Cobb (RB):
One of the big weaknesses surrounding the talent that the Rebels have is their run defense, as it ranks dead last in the SEC in average yards given up on the ground. For an Auburn offense that is still searching heavily to get the ground game going, this is an opportunity to do it, especially for a guy like Jeremiah Cobb who has not had the senior season he hoped for. Cobb currently sits at 320 yards rushing through the first seven games for the Tigers, which ranks 21st in the conference. The senior from Montgomery has not had a standout performance in 2026. This game could be the one for him to do so.
Jake Johnson (TE):
While the tight ends in this offense have not been utilized too much in the receiving game, Golesh has complimented the play of the group as a whole, especially when it comes to a guy like Jake Johnson. The transfer from North Carolina has been a veteran on the offense that has impressed the head coach, and he has slowly had his role expand in terms of blocks, motions and receiving. He could play a factor in the looks that Auburn throws at Ole Miss on Saturday, opening up opportunities for him down the stretch.
Da’Shawn Womack (EDGE):
Just like it is a significant game for Fields, Da’Shawn Womack is also facing off against his former team this week. Womack has been hit or miss throughout the season, but when he is on, he has proven to make a big impact on a game. With this meeting being a special one for him and a return back to Oxford, some extra juice could be flowing for the edge rusher. It is not a definite that he will put up highlight reel numbers, but there is a chance that this could be one of his higher-performing games with all that is on the line and with how the edge rushers have been improving as a whole.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
