For three quarters, Auburn looked capable of making things uncomfortable for No. 12 Ole Miss. Then the Tigers’ defense fell apart, and a competitive SEC matchup turned into a 45-15 embarrassment Saturday afternoon.

Auburn trailed just 17-15 midway through the third quarter after quarterback Byrum Brown scored on a seven-yard touchdown run.

But instead of completing the comeback, the Tigers watched Ole Miss score 28 unanswered points to turn a close contest into a rout.

The loss dropped Auburn to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in SEC play, raising more questions about the Tigers’ ability to compete consistently against quality conference opponents.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss proved particularly difficult to contain.

Chambliss completed 22 of 34 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 65 yards and a score.

His 26-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter pushed the Rebels’ advantage to 24-15 and effectively changed the complexion of the game.

The fourth quarter was even uglier.

Chambliss connected with Caleb Cunningham on a six-yard touchdown pass before finding Horatio Fields for a 28-yard score.

Backup quarterback Deuce Knight added a 17-yard touchdown run to finish the scoring.

Auburn’s offense, meanwhile, couldn’t answer.

Brown finished with 195 passing yards and a touchdown through the air, but the Tigers managed just 63 rushing yards against an Ole Miss defense that controlled the line of scrimmage.

That inability to establish a consistent running attack placed additional pressure on Brown, particularly after Auburn fell behind by multiple possessions.

The Rebels finished with 487 total yards compared with Auburn’s 312.

Perhaps the most troubling statistic was Ole Miss converting 13 of 16 third-down opportunities.

That’s the kind of defensive performance that makes winning in the SEC nearly impossible.

Auburn had its opportunity to make a statement against a nationally ranked opponent. Instead, the Tigers once again struggled to finish a competitive game.

They’ll return home to face Arkansas next Saturday, needing to address a defense that surrendered 21 fourth-quarter points and an offense that couldn’t respond when the game began slipping away.

At 4-4, Auburn’s margin for error is getting smaller.

And Saturday’s collapse offered little evidence that the Tigers have solved their biggest problems.