Ole Miss Football: Ranking the Remaining Games

Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Evan Engram (17) reacts after a touchdown during the third quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss Football is 3-2 heading into the bye week. We are ranking the remaining games in terms of difficulty from easiest to toughest.

The Rebels are about where we expected this season. They are 3-2 going into the bye week. It is important for Ole Miss to rest up as there is a tough stretch coming up after the bye.

Ole Miss has two straight road games in difficult environments before coming back home to the friendly confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Dec 23, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA;Georgia Southern Eagles quarterback Favian Upshaw (13) carries the ball for touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons as running back Matt Breida (36) reacts in the third quarter of the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

7. Georgia Southern

Ole Miss will host Georgia Southern on November 5th. This game will be coming off the heels of three straight SEC games (Arkansas, LSU and Auburn). It has all the makings of a trap game, but it is the last remaining non-conference game and should give the Rebels the best chance for a win.

Oct 24, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores running back Ralph Webb (7) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

6. Vanderbilt

Ole Miss will travel to Nashville on November 19th. The Commodores are probably the worst team in the SEC currently. Vanderbilt poses no passing threat in what will be a neutral environment and not really a true road game for the Rebels.

The only concern for Ole Miss will be Ralph Webb running the football and the Commodore defense. However, Vanderbilt does not have much of a passing game and the Rebels should roll over the ‘Dores.

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) gets sacked by Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Richie Brown (39) in the second quarter in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

5. Mississippi State

The Egg Bowl is never an easy game for the heavily favored team. In fact, the underdog has won their fair share of Egg Bowls in the past.

This year should be different, especially with the game at Ole Miss. The Rebels should be able to exploit the MSU secondary. It would be surprising considering the gap in talent, for the Rebels not to win this game even if it is a rivalry game where anything can happen.

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn reacts during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

4. Auburn

Auburn has shown more of a pulse than many expected them to have in 2016. They have a very good defense that has kept them in games. They do not possess much of a threat on offense, but have had some success in the running game.

This matchup with the Tigers would have been higher up the scale except for the fact it will be played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford.

Nov 27, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) at the line during the second quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

3. Arkansas

Ole Miss’ first opponent coming off the bye week will be Arkansas in Fayetteville. The Rebels have lost two consecutive games to the Razorbacks. It was recently announced that it will be a night game in the Ozarks. That makes the task even more tough for the Rebels.

If there is a silver lining to the timing of playing Arkansas it is that the ‘Hogs will be coming off of playing Alabama. That will be a very physical and emotional game for Arkansas, which plays into Ole Miss’ favor.

Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) carries the ball in the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

2. LSU

It is never easy to go on the road in the SEC. It is even more difficult when it is in Death Valley against your former head coach in Ed Orgeron. The Tigers appear to have a new lease on life with the firing of Les Miles and the addition of Orgeron.

If Ole Miss is able to take care of Arkansas and LSU beats Florida, this game could garner a lot of attention. Ole Miss has lost three in a row in Tiger Stadium and it will be a chore to end that streak on October 22nd.

Sep 19, 2015; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) reacts after making a sack during the first quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

1. Texas A&M

The toughest game left on the schedule appears to be Texas A&M. The Aggies are not only the best team left on Ole Miss’ schedule, but it is also a road game for the Rebels.

Texas A&M is 5-0 so far on the season including three conference wins. Depending on how things go between now and November 12th, this game could be for SEC West implications. Even if it is not for a division title, it will be a big game nonetheless for both teams and a tough chore for Ole Miss at Kyle Field.