Ole Miss Peach Bowl Preview: Final Predictions for Rebels vs. Penn State

The Ole Miss Rebels and Penn State Nittany Lions will kick off in less than 24 hours in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

The No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels and No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions are preparing for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and part of that preparation involves scouting.

The Rebels and Nittany Lions have never faced one another on the gridiron, so many Ole Miss fans may be unfamiliar with the Penn State program under James Franklin. It never hurts to familiarize yourself with the next opponent on the schedule, so why not start now?

That's where The Grove Report comes in. We have taken a look at the Nittany Lions' individual position groups, and this week, we look at the team as a whole. This is a New Year's Six bowl game after all, so the stakes are rather high.

We have taken an overarching look at Penn State's season as well as its offensive and defensive playmakers. We were also joined by All Penn State's publisher Mark Wogenrich of SI.com for a Q&A session regarding the Nittany Lions, and now, the staff will give its final predictions for the New Year's Six matchup on Saturday.

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

John Macon Gillespie, Publisher

I feel a little odd about this matchup, but I think there's something about this Ole Miss team that has shown up in big situations time and time again this season. The Rebels have illustrated an ability to win close games, and I think they do that again in Atlanta on Saturday, reaching 11 wins for the first time in program history.

Ole Miss 31, Penn State 27

Matt Galatzan, Editor

The Ole Miss Rebels have a tough test ahead of them on Saturday, when they take on one of the nation’s top defenses in Penn State. Having watched Penn State crumble multiple times this season in critical moments against Michigan and Ohio State, much like the Rebels did against Alabama and Georgia, it is also hard to imagine they won’t be motivated to make a statement. That said, I think the Rebels are the better team, and I do not think the Nittany Lions have seen an offensive attack quite like the Rebels this season. 

Give me Ole Miss in a close one.

Ole Miss 27, Penn State 24

Ben King, Staff Writer

Ole Miss will battle arguably the best defense it’s faced all year when the Rebels take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Peach Bowl. The Penn State defense led the nation in sacks this season and features one of the best secondaries in college football. This Ole Miss team is full of fighters, however, and its offense has proven it can score on some tough defenses. It will be a battle, but Ole Miss comes out on top.

Ole Miss 35, Penn State 28

'Don't Know What to Expect!' Lane Kiffin Highlights Changes on Talented Penn State Defense

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

Penn State isn’t just missing Chop Robinson. It’s missing Manny Diaz calling plays on the sidelines. The Nittany Lion defense was the backbone in State College because of the Duke’s new coach and his impeccable scheming.

There’s a reason Lane Kiffin was elated to hear Diaz took the job in Durham. Game-planning against him is a chore and somewhat a nightmare, too. The Rebels are fully healthy minus Cedric Johnson’s departure. They’ll show why the hype in Oxford is at an all-time high entering 2024

Ole Miss 27, Penn State 17

Steven Willis, Guest Picker: Locked On Ole Miss Podcast

I think tempo is going to create an issue for Penn State’s defense, and with rumors of their NFL players on a play count if they are not opting out, that means it should get easier as the game goes on for the Rebs. Expect wide receiver Tre Harris to have a big day.

Ole Miss 34, Penn State 31