AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) - As the Tigers prepare to take on the Rebels, defensive back Jamien Sherwood believes fixing third-down issues the team has been having and consistent effort coming back after halftimes will be key to stopping the Ole Miss offense.
According to Sherwood, the defense needs to do a better job playing in the gaps and fighting harder to stop those crucial third-down conversions. Ole Miss is a respectable competitor and will not concede without a fight. The team knows that the Ole Miss offense prefers to pass the ball, but Sherwood says that this kind of coverage is what Auburn defense is best at covering.
The players plan to treat this weekend’s game against Ole Miss as an opportunity to put on a show for Auburn fans and adjust their perspective on this year’s football team. The defensive backs are focusing on simple, key fixes to prevent unnecessary turnovers.
A big mental adjustment from the game against South Carolina moving forward will be the amount of trash talking between teams on the field. Coach Gus Malzahn expressed his disproval for the words exchanged and said there is no need for it, instead coaching his team to just play the game up to the expected Auburn standard.
Practices look slightly different in preparation for a team like Ole Miss. Because of their fast-paced play calling, it is crucial for the Tiger needs to get locked in early and be in great shape.
The momentum needs to be at an all-time high this week, according to Sherwood. After halftime, the team will have to come out harder, pick up the pace and finish the game stronger where most other teams usually want to quit after halftime.
The Tigers will travel to Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Oct. 24, to take on Ole Miss. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on SEC Network.
