No. 11 Texas A&M visits Corral, 12th-ranked Mississippi

Posted November 11, 2021 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Liberty quarterback Malik Willis (7) is tackled for a loss by Mississippi defensive lineman Sam Williams (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

No. 11 Texas A&M (7-2, 4-2 SEC, No. 11 CFP) at No. 12 Mississippi (7-2, 3-2, No. 15), Saturday at 7 p.m. EST (ESPN).

Line: Texas A&M by 2 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Texas A&M leads 9-3 (counting two vacated Ole Miss wins).

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Texas A&M is chasing No. 3 Alabama in the SEC West. The Aggies have already beaten the Crimson Tide, which won against the Rebels, and would need to win out and hope for another Alabama league loss. The two teams are also vying with Auburn for divisional pecking order and trying to cap off big seasons strong.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas A&M's defense, which just shut down Auburn and quarterback Bo Nix, against Ole Miss's ever dangerous Matt Corral. Corral is the only FBS player with more than 2,500 yards passing and 500 yards rushing. The Aggies rank second nationally in scoring defense, allowing 14.7 points per game. Corral has passed for 2,527 yards and 16 touchdowns against two interceptions. He has also run for a team-leading 528 yards.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texas A&M: RBs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane are both having big seasons to help power the Aggies offense. Spiller has run for 873 yards and five touchdowns. Achane has 706 yards, five scores and a 7.4-yard per carry average.

Mississippi DE Sam Williams already has a modern-day school single-season record with 10.5 sacks, which ranks second in FBS. He's also third nationally with four forced fumbles and has a sack in eight of nine games this season. The Rebels are fourth in FBS with 33 sacks collectively, fifth-most in program history with at least four games remaining.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Aggies have rushed for 215-plus yards in three consecutive games for the first time since 2018 and the first time against SEC competition in five seasons. ... Both teams have been nightmares for opposing quarterbacks at times. The Rebels' 33 sacks rank fourth in the FBS and fifth-most in program history. The Aggies' average of 3.1 sacks per game is 13th nationally. ... Ole Miss is the only team in the country with six players having recorded 100-yard receiving games this season.

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Texas A&M running back Isaiah Spiller (28) rushes for a gain as Auburn safety Smoke Monday (21) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M won 20-3. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) The Associated Press

Texas A&M running back Devon Achane (6) outruns South Carolina defensive back Marcellas Dial (24) for a 35-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft) The Associated Press

Mississippi quarterback Matt Corral (2) escapes a tackle attempt by Liberty defensive tackle Henry Chibueze (50) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Mississippi won 27-14. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

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