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GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: RB Scottie Phillips had 141 yards and three touchdowns, and the Ole Miss run game flourished against South Carolina. The Rebels will take a few shots against the Aggies, but figure the going to be tough as A&M’s run defense leads the SEC and ranks second in the nation at 81.4 yards per game allowed.
Ole Miss is confident it can get some things done in the passing game. That’s the MO for offensive coordinator Phil Longo, and the Aggies have been more vulnerable in the secondary, giving up 243.6 yards a game.
The Rebels need to protect QB Jordan Ta’amu; how much he’ll be used in the run game due to health concerns remains to be seen.
The game could turn on pass protection. Neither team excels there.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR A.J. Brown is projected as an early first-round draft pick. Ole Miss coaches have liked him in the slot as a matchup advantage, due to the coverage he’s likely to draw there. The plan often works. His move last week to the outside, though, is a chance for Brown to further showcase his skills and versatility. He got off to a good start against South Carolina, with six catches for 115 yards, his 10th 100-yard game.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR A.J. Brown continues to climb Ole Miss receiving lists. He’s fourth in career receptions with 170 and third in receiving yards with 2,584. He needs just 63 yards at Texas A&M this week to become the school’s all-time leading receiver.
–QB Jordan Ta’amu tied a career-high with 46 passing attempts against South Carolina. He also attempted 46 passes against Auburn in the previous game. With little more than a season as the starter, Ta’amu ranks 10th in school history with 4,683 career passing yards. He has 3,001 yards for the season, just the sixth time an Ole Miss quarterback has thrown for at least 3,000 yards. Eli Manning and Bo Wallace did it twice in their careers.
–RB Scottie Phillips gained his 141 yards on a career-high 21 carries vs. South Carolina. His three rushing touchdowns were a career-high. Phillips is tied for fifth in single-season rushing touchdowns with 12. He has scored 14 total touchdowns, which ties him with running back Kayo Dottley and quarterback Archie Manning for third in a season.
–LB Mohamed Sanogo had 11 tackles against the Gamecocks. It’s the fourth time this season that Sanogo has led the team in tackles. He also had two quarterback pressures.
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