Ole Miss Rebels (10-2) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2)
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Penn State Nittany Lions – As college football season nears its conclusion, the Peach Bowl offers a thrilling matchup between Ole Miss Rebels and Penn State Nittany Lions–both boasting impressive 10-2 records–who meet on Saturday in one of the top NCAAF bowl picks this year – an intriguing showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with live coverage by ESPN. Fans are gearing up for an epic showdown.
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Game Info
When: | Saturday, December 30, 2023, at 12:00 PM ET |
Where: | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
TV: | ESPN |
Stream: | Sofascore |
Jaxson Dart QB vs. Drew Allar QB
Jaxson Dart has put together an excellent season for the Rebels, completing 65.4% of his 318 pass attempts for 2,985 yards, 20 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. His mobility and improvisation skills make him a threat to create big plays at any time. However, he has also taken 26 sacks, so Penn State’s pass rush could cause him trouble if it gets home. Overall though, Dart’s big arm and playmaking give Ole Miss an edge at quarterback.
Drew Allar has been extremely impressive as well in his first year starting for Penn State. He’s racked up 2,336 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 61.1% of his attempts and only throwing 1 interception. Allar excels at going through his progressions and finding the open man. His decision making has been stellar. The main question is if the freshman can handle the pressure in his first major bowl game.
Ole Miss Rushing Attack Anchored by Judkins and Dart
The Rebels feature one of the most explosive rushing attacks in the country, led by standout freshman Quinshon Judkins. Judkins has amassed 1,052 yards and 15 touchdowns on an excellent 4.4 yards per carry. His tackle-breaking ability combined with Dart’s scrambling gives Ole Miss a dominant ground game. The Nittany Lions have been vulnerable against the run at times this year, so Judkins could be poised for a big day.
Penn State Relies on Balanced Offense
Penn State has achieved great offensive balance this season behind the emergence of quarterback Drew Allar. Running back Kaytron Allen leads the team with 851 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith has added 53 catches. With talent across the skill positions, the Nittany Lions will test Ole Miss across the entire field. Containing all of Penn State’s weapons is a tall task.
NCAAF Betting Odds: Penn State Nittany Lions -170, Over/Under: 48.5
The betting odds favor Penn State slightly, but the close spread indicates a potentially tight contest. The over/under set at 48.5 points suggests an expectation of a moderately high-scoring game, reflecting the offensive capabilities of both teams.
Ole Miss Rebels Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi’s last 7 games.
Mississippi are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Mississippi’s last 5 games played in December.
Mississippi are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games played on a Saturday.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Mississippi’s last 11 games when playing as the underdog.
Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Trends
Penn State are 15-3-1 ATS in their last 19 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Penn State’s last 6 games.
Penn State are 15-2 SU in their last 17 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Penn State’s last 13 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.
Penn State are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games played in December.
Penn State are 13-2 SU in their last 15 games played on a Saturday.
Ole Miss vs. Penn State Betting Picks
Considering both teams’ strengths and recent performances, this game promises to be a closely contested affair. Ole Miss’s explosive offense led by Dart can be the X-factor, but Penn State’s tactical discipline and consistency cannot be underestimated. The betting trends lean slightly towards Penn State, primarily due to their strong ATS record and consistent performances.
In terms of a pick, the smart money might be on Penn State to cover the spread, given their track record. However, Ole Miss, with their dynamic offense, could surprise many, making them an enticing underdog pick. For prop bets, focusing on individual performances, especially the quarterbacks and key running backs, could be interesting. The over/under is a trickier proposition, given both teams’ tendencies to go under in recent games.
Legal Betting Sites offer a range of options for this game, and bettors should consider all aspects before placing their wagers.