Courtesy: Auburn University Athletic Department

The Auburn football team practiced for 70 minutes Thursday evening in the final practice before Saturday’s home game against the Ole Miss Rebels.

Practicing in shells, the Tigers worked on situational drills and special teams during Thursday’s practice.

Saturday’s game will be the Tigers’ last in October and caps a month which saw the team play three top 10 teams on the road.

During his Tuesday media conference, Auburn head coach Gene Chizik said the team is looking forward to playing at home.

“We’re excited about being able to come back home and play another night game here at home,” Chizik said. “It’ll be exciting. We’ve been gone the last three out of four weeks against some tough road opponents, so it’s always nice to come back home and play in front of our home crowd for a 6:00 game. I want to encourage all of our fans to come out and do their thing, and again, they’re a great part of the game day atmosphere.”

Although Ole Miss is 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Southeastern Conference play, Chizik noted their record is not an indication of the talent the Rebels possess.
“We’re playing an Ole Miss team that is extremely talented,” Chizik said. “It’s the best 2-5 team in the country. They’re very dangerous, and they’re very good in a lot of different ways. I think they found themselves in exactly where they want to go in terms of quarterback. He’s extremely athletic, very dangerous, a very good junior college player. This is a very good football team. They’re probably a play here or a play there away from winning five or six football games. They had a touchdown against Georgia called back on a punt return.
“They’re a play away from beating an Arkansas and BYU, so again, I think the record is not indicative of how good they are. They’re a very good football team. They have a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism, and we’re going to have to play really well to be able to come out with a victory, but we’re excited about the challenge.”
Auburn (5-3, 3-2 SEC) and Ole Miss kick off at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU. The Tigers go into the 36th meeting against Ole Miss with a series record of 26-9 and a 12-2 record at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn has won 20 of its last 23 games dating back to the 2010 victory over Northwestern in the Outback Bowl. The Tigers have also won 11 of its last 13 SEC games.