No. 11 Aggies travel to Oxford for important top-15 clash with Ole Miss

Hope endures that if Texas A&M continues to play well, extends its four-game winning streak and gets a few breaks, the Aggies could get into the College Football Playoff.

Coach Jimbo Fisher thinks the Aggies are already there.

“When you get to November, and you’re relevant, it’s a playoff,” Fisher said. “You forget about everything else. One week at a time. One day at a time. One practice at a time. One play at a time. It’s that simple. Don’t worry about nothing.”

Lia Musgrave, TexAgs

A&M and Ole Miss last met in 2019, with the Aggies prevailing, 24-17. The 2020 meeting was canceled due to COVID-19.

Fisher’s point is well taken.

The No. 11 Aggies (7-2, 4-2 ) won’t even have an outside chance at getting in the four-team playoff field unless they win their remaining three games.

However, there is plenty to worry about when the Aggies face No. 15 Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2) on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, a Heisman Trophy contender, is a reason for concern. So is the expected return of receivers Dontario Drummond, Braylon Sanders and Jonathan Mingo, who have been slowed by injuries.

There’s also a history of struggles in Oxford. The Aggies are 4-1 at Ole Miss, but all of those victories were decided by a touchdown or less.

Fisher seems to think another tug-of-war is impending.

“Offensively, they’re outstanding,” Fisher said. “The quarterback is a great player. The offensive line does a really good job. Their skill guys … they’re getting them back.”

Of course, the Aggies provide Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin plenty of reason to worry, too.

“This is a really good team that we’re playing with great players,” Kiffin said. “Arguably the best personnel team we’ve played all year, and I think defensively it is. We’re going to have some challenges. You guys have seen our injury issues, so that is what it is, and we need guys to continue to step up and make plays. It’s going to be a huge challenge because these guys have elite players.”

Behind running backs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane, who are both on track to rush for 1,000-yard seasons, the Aggies have exceeded 200 rushing yards in three consecutive games.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss has allowed more than 200 rushing yards in five of its last six outings.

Further, Ole Miss has allowed 67 running plays of 10 yards or more. Only Missouri has allowed more long plays. A&M rushed for 283 yards in a 35-14 victory over Missouri.

That’s reason enough for the Aggies to believe they can keep up with the high-octane Rebels.

“I have no doubt that we can stay up with their offense,” A&M receiver Ainias Smith said. “I’m really not even worried about what they do on offense or how they play on defense. We really just have to worry about our keys and making sure we do our responsibilities.”

The A&M defense has the responsibility to contain Corral and slow down the Ole Miss offense, which averages 37.8 points to rank 15th in the nation.

But A&M is ranked second in the nation in scoring defense with a 14.7 average. The Aggies are also 17th in total defense.

Further, A&M has produced 13 sacks in the last four games.

Kiffin is impressed.

“Jimbo figured out from coach (Nick) Saban: Find the best defensive players in the country, and get them on your team and watch him be a really good head coach, and that’s what these guys have,” Kiffin said. “Really special players that are dominant.”