Auburn Must Establish a Successful Run Game To Upset Ole Miss

The Auburn Tigers have struggled to consistently run the football this season, but Saturday's matchup against Ole Miss presents an opportunity to change that.

And if Alex Golesh's team wants to pull off another major upset, establishing the running game will be extremely important.

Auburn managed just 67 rushing yards in its 38-17 loss to LSU, but the Tigers won't be facing the same type of defensive front in Oxford.

Ole Miss has struggled against the run throughout the season, and Auburn needs to take advantage.

The Rebels are allowing 161.1 rushing yards per game, which ranks last in the SEC.

And several opponents have taken advantage of those struggles.

Texas rushed for 207 yards against Ole Miss, while Florida had even more success on the ground. The Gators' top two running backs combined for 268 rushing yards on 41 carries against the Rebels.

That's important for Auburn, which has struggled to consistently get its running backs involved.

Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson have both shown they can be productive, but neither has received the number of carries many expected entering the season.

Against Ole Miss, that needs to change.

Much of Auburn's rushing attack has depended on quarterback Byrum Brown.

And while Brown's ability to make plays with his legs remains an important part of the offense, the Tigers need more production from their running backs.

Cobb and Mabson are averaging approximately five yards per carry, but opportunities have been limited.

Giving both players more carries could help Auburn establish some offensive consistency.

It could also prevent Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss from spending as much time on the field.

And considering Auburn's defensive struggles against LSU, keeping the Rebels' offense on the sideline could be important.

Ole Miss' struggles against the run could also benefit Brown.

The Auburn quarterback has the ability to rush for more than 100 yards, and the Rebels have struggled to consistently stop opposing rushing attacks.

But Auburn cannot afford to become too dependent on Brown.

LSU showed how effective a defense can be when it takes away his running ability.

The Tigers need a more balanced rushing attack, with Cobb and Mabson receiving enough opportunities to make a difference.

Auburn has already shown it can pull off a major upset with its victory over Georgia.

But if the Tigers want to leave Oxford with another win, they must take advantage of Ole Miss' biggest defensive weakness.

And that starts with running the football.