Peach Bowl Preview: Penn State Vs. Ole Miss Players to Watch, Predictions

The Nittany Lions and Rebels meet in what should be a fascinating Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

ATLANTA | So Ole Miss won the Peach Bowl's "Battle for Bowl Week," a confection of events that included a putting contest, go-kart racing and a game show at the College Football Hall of Fame. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar called the go-kart outing "super fun." The winner of this event has won seven of the last 12 Peach Bowl games. Meanwhile, a panda at Zoo Atlanta picked Penn State. Yang Yang is riding a three-game win streak.

But now the real fun begins, as Penn State and Ole Miss meet for the first time in the 56th Peach Bowl. The game presents parallel 10-2 teams with contrasting styles and coaches known for their recruiting flair. Penn State's James Franklin and Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin even agree that the college football's December schedule has produced a "terrible system."

But that "terrible system" will pause for what should be a terrific game. Here's a look at the Peach Bowl.

The Peach Bowl

Who: No. 10 Penn State (10-2) vs. No. 11 Ole Miss (10-2)

When: Noon ET Saturday

Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

TV: ESPN

Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)

Betting Line: Penn State is a 4.5-point favorite, per DraftKings

Series History: First meeting

The Story Line

Coaches hope that bowl games act as launch pads, though they're often just self-contained moments to close a season. Remember that Penn State won the 2023 Rose Bowl, which was supposed to point them toward a playoff run, and their 2023 regular season essentially was a repeat of 2022. Remember also that the Nittany Lions lost the 2016 TaxSlayer Bowl, replaced two coordinators and its starting quarterback and won the Big Ten title the following season. Teams win titles in February and August more than they do in late December (the playoff notwithstanding).

Still, Penn State needs some sort of signature to complete the 2023 season, which set a new benchmark for expectation. "We're sitting here beating ourselves up that we're 10-2," interim co-offensive coordinator Ja'Juan Seider said in Atlanta. He's right. While Ole Miss is celebrating potentially its first 11-win season, Penn State still confronts the ghosts of what might have been.

The Lions arrived in Atlanta seemingly intact. Though they likely will be without two defensive starters (end Chop Robinson and cornerback Johnny Dixon), the Lions are ready to unleash the Defense Manny Diaz Built. Seider and fellow interim coordinator Ty Howle masterfully kept the offense not only together but also pointed forward. Receiver Trey Wallace could return. There's a lot to like. But if the Lions don't win, they'll enter the offseason bitterly lamenting three losses. Maybe that's fuel. Or maybe it binds as frustration about a ceiling being reached.

The Lions need a Peach Bowl win to refresh the program's goodwill, which manifests in tangible benefits, like NIL donations the program can use to recruit players from the NCAA Transfer Portal. And in college football's new day, that's really how teams will make the playoffs.

Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton runs through a drill at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of the Peach Bowl :: Jason Parkhurst/Peach Bowl

Penn State Players to Watch

Dani Dennis-Sutton: The Lions’ next great edge rusher is Chop Robinson’s heir and just might be an All-American next season. We think this game will serve as his national introduction, though the defensive end had a terrific season with 6 TFLs and 3.5 sacks.

Omari Evans: Having disappeared for much of the season, the receiver re-emerged in November against Rutgers and Michigan State. His 60-yard reception against the Spartans was a thrilling reminder of Evans’ breakaway speed and downfield tools. Seider and Howle will turn him loose again.

Daequan Hardy: The nickel corner/punt returner said he wants to use the Peach Bowl as a spring to NFL Draft preparation and to put more of his skills on tape for scouts. Hardy is among Penn State’s most versatile players and could get a ton of snaps in a secondary that likely will be without one starter (Dixon) and might have another (Kalen King) on a pitch count.

Ole Miss Players to Watch

Quinshon Judkins: Running backs occasionally find their stride against Penn State in bowl games, and Judkins is this year's threat. The 5-11, 210-pound sophomore has rushed for an astonishing 2,619 yards in two seasons. He has scored 15 TDs this season and pairs well with fellow back Ulysses Bentley IV.

Dayton Wade: The Rebels receiver has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft but will play in the Peach Bowl. He's the offense's big-play threat, with six catches of 40+ yards. The Atlanta native looks to punctuate his college career properly.

Jared Ivey: Ole Miss gets some defensive pressure, with Ivey leading from the edge, especially since linebacker Cedric Johnson has opted out. Ivey has 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss and scored Ole Miss' only defensive touchdown of the season (a fumble return vs. Tulane).

The Predictions

Max Ralph: Penn State had some up-in-the-air concerns regarding its defensive roster, but with end Chop Robinson and cornerback Johnny Dixon seeming like the opt-outs, the Lions won’t be too stressed for depth. Ole Miss hasn’t played many defenses of Penn State's caliber, so its high-powered offense could be slowed. There’s also a good chance Penn State’s offensive momentum keeps going, doing enough to maintain control of the game. Thanks to players deciding to stay and play in this one before the draft, like Kalen King, Adisa Isaac and Theo Johnson, I like Penn State’s chances. Penn State 27, Ole Miss 20.

Mark Wogenrich: Two offensive points to watch from Ole Miss are its offensive tempo and how its run game flows through that. Penn State loves to rotate defensively, which tempo offenses don't allow. And running means more linebacker work, making Kobe King a key factor in the middle. Moreover, does interim coordinator Anthony Poindexter have Manny Diaz's instinct for when to push the pressure? Thus, Ole Miss is going to score some points, but Penn State's offense is all-in behind Seider and Howle. The Nittany Lions win a lively one. Penn State 34, Ole Miss 31.

More Penn State Football

Penn State Football on SI.com

Penn State could return a key offensive player for the Peach Bowl

How Ja'Juan Seider and Ty Howle rejuvenated Penn State's offense

Kerry Collins to serve as Penn State's honorary captain for the Peach Bowl

Scouting the Ole Miss Rebels: The view from Oxford ahead of the Peach Bowl

Penn State's Kalen King available for the Peach Bowl

Penn State chases bowl history in the Peach Bowl

Lane Kiffin agrees with James Franklin about college football's "terrible system"

Yes, Tom Allen says, Michael Penix Jr. scored vs. Penn State in 2020

Nittany Lions captains take the lead in Peach Bowl opt-out decisions

AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.