Offensive coordinator Al Borges’ response to the conservative play?

“We were going to run the football,” Borges said. “Just looking at their numbers — they were a little vulnerable to that.”

The Tigers did run the ball. I’ll give them that. Running backs Brad Lester, Ben Tate, Carl Stewart and Mario Fannin combined for more than 200 yards.

“We were going to run the ball,” said quarterback Brandon Cox, who finished with 16 completions on 26 attempts for 189 yards and a touchdown. “We were going to be the more physical team and come out to establish the run.”

But Tuberville’s unwillingness to attempt a long pass nearly lost the Tigers the game. Just twice, Auburn attempted a pass of more than 20 yards. Both of those times, Ole Miss was flagged for a presnap penalty, giving Auburn a free play. Cox chunked the ball down field for an incompletion both times.

“We didn’t throw the ball a lot,” Tuberville said. “We were pretty conservative offensively.”

But why?

Do the coaches not have enough faith in their senior quarterback?

Do they not trust their receivers to catch the ball?

Or is Tuberville just set in his “old school” ways?

He has said he likes to win games with defense, special teams and a smash-mouth running game. That’s fine, as long as you score enough points to win the game.

Auburn nearly failed to do that Saturday night. They failed do to it against Mississippi and LSU.

Borges said, “We like to be around 25 to 28 passes a game. We were right around there.”

That is true. But when will that not be enough? There will be a time when Auburn will have to pass more, right?

Tuberville doesn’t think so. He is all about running the ball and playing defense. It’s the way he wants to win. It’s the way he likes to win. He gets pleasure from these narrow, ugly victories. I just know he does.

Auburn’s passing offense entered the game ranked 106th in the nation and ninth in the SEC, averaging about 173 yards through the air a game.

These teams ranking lower than the Tigers: Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Mississippi State. Three teams that have a combined five SEC victories.

But you have to give Tuberville and his staff credit. He knows his defense is good and that he has two or three reliable running backs who can carry the load.

He knows he has a solid kicker who will make game-winners, like Wes Byrum has so often this season.

With the Rebels coming to town Saturday, Auburn fans may have thought they would be walking out of Jordan-Hare Stadium at halftime.

But keep this in mind: Never, ever assume Auburn will blow out anyone. Yes, even Ole Miss.