'We're Gonna Stop Both Guys': Rebels' Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste on Facing Auburn Tigers Two-QB System
OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels are set to battle the Auburn Tigers on Saturday night in their first game since their bye week, and have done extra homework in preparation for the SEC West contest.
At first glance, the average college football fan would assume this game is going to be a cakewalk for the Rebels. Ole Miss is currently 5-1 and has won two straight SEC matchups, while the 3-3 Tigers have yet to beat a conference opponent this season. The Rebels are also favored by 5.5 points entering the matchup.
Everything appears to be in Ole Miss' favor this season, but it is important to remember that Auburn has historically owned the Rebels. Since 2000, Ole Miss has only beaten Auburn at home twice (2003 and 2015), and the Tigers lead the all-time series versus the Rebels with a record of 34-11.
The Tigers are also led by former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, who would love to ruin his old team's hopes at an SEC West title.
To help prepare the team for the atmosphere at Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Rebels have been blasting crowd noise and the Auburn fight song during practice. Ole Miss linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste was available to speak with the media on Tuesday and mentioned that he is already tired of hearing War Eagle.
Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste (No. 11) vs. the LSU Tigers (2023).
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"Yes, I am [sick of hearing it]," Jean-Baptiste told reporters. "I love playing at home."
The Ole Miss defense will face an interesting challenge when it lines up versus Auburn on Saturday, a two-quarterback system. Throughout the 2023 season, the Tigers have alternated between quarterbacks Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford depending on certain situations.
"They're a multi-quarterback system so we have to be ready for both guys," Jean-Baptiste said. "Defensively, we're just going to play our brand of football."
Jean-Baptiste stated that the team has not prepared any differently for Auburn, despite the two-quarterback system.
"We've got the same gameplan and we're going to stop both guys," Jean-Baptiste said. "Whoever they're rolling with, we'll stop them for sure."
In his first six games as a Rebel, Jean-Baptiste has recorded 21 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, and a half sack. The Florida City, Fla, native spent his first four collegiate seasons with the UCF Knights before deciding to transfer to Ole Miss during the 2023 offseason.
Jean-Baptiste talked about how he has acclimated to his new system and teammates.
"I feel like I've acclimated well with my teammates," Jean-Baptiste said. "I've been able to build bonds with guys on and off the field here. We just continue to take things 1-0 weekly and find a way to get better each and every week."
Kickoff between Ole Miss and Auburn is set for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN.
