Ole Miss football vs. Texas A&M Aggies: Our scouting report, score prediction

OXFORD − Ole Miss football's first chance to rebound from a loss will come in a hostile road environment against an opponent desperate for a win.

The No. 12 Rebels (7-1, 3-1 SEC) visit Texas A&M (3-4, 1-3) at Kyle Field in College Station on Saturday (6:30 p.m., SEC Network). Ole Miss is coming off its first loss of the year, a 45-20 drubbing at LSU, and the Aggies are trying to end a three-game losing streak that dates back to Oct. 1 in their first home game since September.

For Ole Miss, a win against Texas A&M represents a chance to course correct and remain tied atop the SEC West standings heading into the last month of the year. For the Aggies, a win means a chance to climb out of last place in the division and recalibrate for an easier November.

Here are the Clarion Ledger's scouting report and score prediction for this weekend's game.

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Ole Miss football offense vs. Texas A&M defense

Much like Ole Miss, Texas A&M looked like it had one of the nation's best defenses through four weeks. But after allowing 11.8 points and 330 yards per game in September, the Aggies have allowed 32 points and 386 yards per game over their three-game losing streak.

The Aggies are actually averaging more takeaways, sacks and tackles for loss during this skid than they did earlier in the year. But opponents are faring much better on third downs and converting red zone trips to touchdowns than they did earlier in the year.

Other than Mississippi State, no opponent has really thrown the ball with much success against Texas A&M. A number of teams have rushed well against the Aggies, which plays into Ole Miss' strength as the Power 5 team averaging the most rushing yards per game. But with running backs Zach Evans and Ulysses Bentley IV limited by injuries, there are questions about how sustainable the Rebels' ground attack can be, especially if the Aggies stack the box and dare Ole Miss to throw into their vaunted secondary.

Ole Miss has the statistical advantage in this one, given the way the Aggies have played over the last month. But Texas A&M at its best does a lot of things well that could derail Ole Miss' attack.

Ole Miss football defense vs. Texas A&M offense

Texas A&M's offense has repeatedly put its defense in horrible situations with turnovers and short possessions. The Aggies have turned the ball over seven times in the last three games, including at least one interception in each game. No SEC West team punts more times per game or runs fewer plays per game than Texas A&M. Among all SEC teams, Texas A&M has gained the fewest rushing first downs and the third-fewest passing first downs.

But in back-to-back weeks, Ole Miss' defense has been exposed. The Rebels have allowed 79 points, 941 yards and 53 first downs in the last two games while forcing season-low numbers of punts and, against LSU, not forcing a turnover.

Aggies running back Devon Achane is one of the SEC's best, leading the conference and ranking fifth in FBS in total offense per game. If Achane can use his track-star speed to get free in space, the Rebels' open-field tackling issues could present a big opportunity for the Aggies' offense to finally make some plays. But if Texas A&M's turnover issues recur, Ole Miss could find a way back into its dominant defensive form.

Score prediction:

Ole Miss 27, Texas A&M 24: Expect a lower-scoring affair than the last couple of weeks. The Kyle Field atmosphere and Ole Miss' injuries on offense keep the Aggies in this one, but it's hard to imagine Texas A&M having the offensive firepower to keep up in this game without at least one defensive score or field-flipping takeaway.

Contact Nick Suss at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football vs. Texas A&M: Score prediction, scouting report