It’s another Big Ten vs. SEC bowl battle when the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions take on No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels in the Peach Bowl from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday. Both teams enter the game with matching 10-2 records.
Penn State comes into the game having won four of its final five to end the season. It’s the fifth time in nine years that the Nittany Lions have won 10 or more games and it's their fifth appearance in a New Year’s Six Bowl during that span. They have gone 3-1 in such games, and this includes a decisive 35-21 win over Utah in the Rose Bowl last season.
Offensively, the Nittany Lions are led by the running back duo of Kaytron Allen (851 yards, six touchdowns) and Nicholas Singleton (702 yards and eight touchdowns). Quarterback Drew Allar has some gaudy numbers in his first full season as a starter with 2,336 yards, 23 touchdowns and just one interception. However, the sophomore struggled against Ohio State and Michigan, failing to complete at least 50 percent of his passes in either game.
Ole Miss has reached the 10-win mark for the second time in the past three years and is playing in its second New Year’s Six bowl under coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels won seven of their final eight games, but once again, their season was defined by an early loss to Alabama. Running back Quinshon Judkins had a 1,000-yard season and added 15 touchdowns. Quarterback Jaxson Dart almost hit 3,000 yards and he has three receivers — Tre Harris, Dayton Wade and Jordan Watkins — that have all gone over 700 yards.
Both teams should be close to full strength but they will each be missing a key pass rusher. Cedric Johnson has opted out for Ole Miss and Chop Robinson will not play for Penn State.
Caesars Sportsbook, the official odds partner of Bet.NOLA.com, lists the Nittany Lions as 5-point favorites with a total set at 48.5.
Let’s take a closer look at the odds and trends:
Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) vs. Ole Miss Rebels (10-2)
Time/TV: Saturday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. (ESPN)
Point spread (from Caesars): Penn State -5
Over/Under: 48.5
Moneyline: Penn State -205, Ole Miss +170
Analysis: Penn State has won 21 straight games as a favorite and the Nittany Lions are 16-4-1 against the spread during that stretch. Much has been made of Penn State’s struggles against Ohio State and Michigan under James Franklin, but Ole Miss is just 3-5 against the spread vs. Top 10 teams under Kiffin. Both programs are looking for a signature win, and while this game won’t exactly provide that, it will be a nice springboard going into 2024.
Prediction: Penn State 28, Ole Miss 21 (Over 48.5)
Best bet: Penn State -5 (-110 via Caesars Sportsbook)