Tom Dienhart

OXFORD, Miss. - Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville was all smiles as I approached him on the field before the Ole Miss game.

I can't say I was surprised. You'd smile too if you were the SEC's best coach and had the conference's best team. And then Tuberville told me something that will make every future foe frown.

"I don't think we've played a great game yet," he says.

He's right. It sure as heck didn't happen Saturday. Let's go ahead and file the Tigers' 23-17 victory in Oxford under "workmanlike."

But, this is football, not figure skating. Style points don't mean squat, thank goodness. Here's all you need to know: Auburn is 8-1 overall, 5-1 in SEC. If not for that confounding home loss to Arkansas, the Tigers may be the No. 1 ranked team in the nation. No doubt, they could be No. 2.

This game was a classic case of a good team taking care of business. The Rebs dared Auburn to pass. And quarterback Brandon Cox obliged, throwing for a career-high 253 yards.

"This is a complicated offense," Tuberville said afterwards. "We don't doubt Brandon's skills. The thing for him is between the ears. But he's a smart guy."

Teams will continue to load up on Auburn, not wanting its bevy of running backs — led by Kenny Irons and Brad Lester — to control the game. But, for the most part, Cox has proved he can handle the pressure. The small-but-quick Auburn defense is the team's biggest issue. Ole Miss had success running up the gut, which Arkansas did with aplomb too. That's why it's critical for the offense to continue humming.

But give the Rebels credit for making the Tigers sweat profusely. No doubt, Ole Miss was ready for Auburn. Oh, and the fans were ready for Tuberville, who drew a loud boo when he was introduced.

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"It has been eight years since I left here," said Tuberville, who coached Ole Miss from 1995-98.

It's time for Ole Miss to let it go and embrace Ed Orgeron. But, you see, that's not a popular position these days. It's sad, but true. Orgeron knows what he's up against. He knows he's undermanned. He admitted as much to me in the south end zone of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium before the game.

"Do you know how many players I have on scholarship," he asked?

Before I had the chance to shrug, Orgeron answered his own question.

"56," he said.