10/29 at 05:06 AM

When’s the last time an Auburn game against Ole Miss was this big?

Oh yeah, just about every year.

And make no mistake, this season’s game against the Rebels is big for the Tigers. Maybe the biggest.

Seriously.

When you look at everything Auburn stands to gain (or lose) Saturday, this year’s installment is significant.

For a couple reasons: 1) because of where this game falls every season as the last one in the “respect” month (remember … October Victories Equal Respect?) … 2) because it’s a Western Division opponent … 3) because of what it means for the rest of the season, for both teams … 4) because of the history.

Even before Gene Chizik was named head coach, this game has consistently meant a lot.

In 2004, Auburn beat Ole Miss in Oxford to clinch the SEC West before the month of November began.

In 2008, Auburn’s 17-7 loss was the fifth — including the last of four in a row — of seven disappointing losses that put the finishing touches on Tommy Tuberville’s 10 years as head coach on the Plains.

In 2009, Auburn’s 33-20 win on Halloween stopped a three-game losing streak in Chizik’s first season, giving the Tigers the momentum needed to finish out an eight-win season.

Even last year, the game in Oxford had significant meaning, as most people thought it’d be a trap game for the undefeated Tigers and a game that could cause a severe hiccup in a Heisman Trophy campaign. That didn’t happen, obviously, as Auburn took care of the Rebels by 20 points to finish the month of October at 9-0.

This year, even though the circumstances are different, the stakes are just as high.

Bottom line: Auburn needs to win.

And not just a win — The Tigers need to play well. The offense needs to figure itself out and the defense needs to continue improving.

Why?

Where do we start?

First, it would give the Tigers a 3-2 record for the month of October. No small feat.

Second, heading into the bye week, a team needs all the momentum it can get. Not only is an open week good for getting healthy, which the Tigers desperately need, it can serve as a launching pad for the final stretch of the season.

What’s better, two weeks of celebrating a win or two weeks of mulling over a loss?

Hmm.

Third, Georgia’s up next. After the bye, the Tigers have to go to Athens. And lest we forget how badly the Tigers have played in Athens in their last couple trips.

The last game Auburn won between the hedges was the fourth-and-10, Brandon Cox to Devin Aromashodu to Courtney Taylor (after the fumble) to John Vaughn for the game-winning field goal in 2005.

Since, Auburn’s been 0-fer in Athens. I’m quite sure the Tigers want to change that. And having two weeks to prepare for the Bulldogs will help. But so will a win over Ole Miss now.

If Auburn can beat Ole Miss and Georgia, the Tigers would be 7-3 with Samford up next for homecoming.

Make that 8-3.

Then it’s on to the Iron Bowl.

Hey, an 8-4 season isn’t bad.

Especially this year. With this schedule. With this youth.  With this inexperience.

Eight wins put the Tigers in a decent bowl. Some are even projecting the Cotton Bowl. From where Auburn started against Utah State, Dallas might as well be Glendale.

The Tigers have the chance to get there, but they’ve got to take care of business. It starts Saturday against Ole Miss.

A big game?

When is it not?

MIKE SZVETITZ is sports editor of the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at or 737-2513.