Auburn Football vs. Ole Miss: Five Auburn Players to Watch for

Here we list five Auburn football players to watch out for against Ole Miss this Saturday as the Tigers travel to Oxford, Miss.

There’s no expert who could have predicted that outcome.

The absurdity of a 78-yard trot by Eli Stove on Auburn’s first offensive possession was not only silencing, but a message to the SEC. Auburn, now ranked at 15 in the Associated Press polling, has a slight chance of reaching the SEC championship.

Only one of Auburn’s scoring drives taking more than 10 plays, the result of seven rushing touchdowns and 543 rushing yards was expected only from an Alabama A&M game.

Certainly with Kamryn Pettway’s career day, 26 rushes for 192 yards and two touchdowns, it was surprising to visualize the entirety of Auburn’s roster making a difference. Comparable to a San Antonio Spurs offensive rotation, Auburn’s weapons were not defined by one or two playmakers.

With the Auburn Tigers rolling into Oxford, Mississippi this Saturday, the cylinders are looking to flip back into rotation. Rebel quarterback Chad Kelly impressing as potential NFL talent, Auburn will need to relapse their devastating defensive tendencies.

Of course, you can’t forget the record-breaking offense either.

Here are five Auburn players who look to deliver the same blow to a once great Ole Miss:

Kerryon Johnson/Kamryn Pettway

With Kerryon Johnson out of the picture, Kamryn Pettway was the starter for Auburn and took advantage of, once again, becoming Auburn’s leader in rushing yards at 697. The 159 yards that separate Johnson and Pettway are also only in part by just 13 more carries by Pettway. Evidently, these two combined on the field, together, will be perfect.

Oct 22, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Santos Ramirez (9) tackles Auburn Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway (36) during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 56-3. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Johnson missed the week after suffering a sprain to his right ankle, and Ole Miss will be his first taste of action in a couple weeks. Tied with Pettway for rushing touchdowns at six a piece, Johnson has been the do-it-all man for Auburn and has Marcus Allen potential. Now, tied together with his partner in crime Pettway, these running backs have become an unstoppable force in the SEC. Seemingly, Ole Miss will need to work hard to slow down the firepower in the backfield.

Stanton Truitt

Stanton Truitt is just eighth in receiving yards for Auburn, and is even below Kerryon Johnson for receptions. However, against Arkansas, Truitt was not only valuable at the wide receiver position, but was an engine for the rushing offense as well.

With eight rushes for 72 yards and two touchdowns, Truitt capitalized on the failing Razorback defensive line and, along with his speed, was capable of bursting ahead for large chunks of yardage. Truitt is now not only a threat at wide receiver, where he took a single reception four 45 yards and a score, Auburn is certainly salivating over the possibilities of utilizing Truitt more on offense.

Sean White

Oct 22, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the third quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers beat the Razorbacks 56-3. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Close attention to Sean White against Arkansas would not impress many. White completed just six passes for 77 yards – the majority coming from a Stanton Truitt reception of 45 – and handed the ball off for the majority of the game.

Despite not being a threat through the air, White did join in on the fun with the rushing assault and added in four rushes for 61 yards and a touchdown. White, though he was not his usual pro-style quarterback self, managed the game and brought Auburn to a blowout.

The defensive style of Ole Miss has tripped over itself the past couple of weeks, and yet they still have the ability to take down a team’s scheme without hesitation. Rolling with the Auburn offensive fantasy across the failing Rebel defense presents the ease to be too confident. Auburn will require Sean White to manage the football game and will ask him to do whatever is needed of him, whether it’s through the air or running it himself.

Carl Lawson

Wherever the ball went with the Arkansas offense, there was someone to pull it into the ground.

The same could be said about the quarterback position, as Carl Lawson could not have been more present in the eyes of Arkansas’ Austin Allen – once the SEC leader in passing yards. Leading the team with an indescribable seven hits on the quarterback has Lawson thirsting for the SEC lead in sacks, where he sits at second place with seven.

Aside from the hunt for the quarterback, Lawson totaled two tackles and one tackle for loss, which was just one out of eleven total as a team. Auburn will require Lawson to continue his monstrous ways if they have any hope of taking down Chad Kelly and the Ole Miss offense.

Tre’ Williams

If you watched any defensive downs for Auburn, you probably saw the number 30 climbing out of the pile. Tre’ Williams led the team with seven total tackles and had one for loss, and was seemingly everywhere on the field at once. William’s presence was palpable and, evidently, was frightening for the Razorback offense.

Williams, along with wide receiver Tony Stevens, has consistently been a force for his side of the field. If Ole Miss is going to go down field, they will have to find a way to navigate through Williams and Carl Lawson. That has shown to be difficult in recent weeks.