Probably the most lovely issues about school soccer is that it often serves up matchups between two groups from fully completely different ends of the game’s spectrum.
Saturday’s Peach Bowl, which pits Penn State as a four-point favourite in opposition to Ole Miss, matches that narrative completely.
Whereas Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss need to put the pedal to the steel, Penn State is thought for a slug-it-out protection and a methodical, possession-oriented offense that wishes to shorten the sport.
The outdated adage means that kinds make fights and this needs to be a captivating encounter between two groups which will as nicely be enjoying completely different sports activities.
Peach Bowl decide
One other optimistic for the Peach Bowl is that the opt-out record isn’t that sturdy.
There are nonetheless key absences, however attempting to kind by the inactives doesn’t really feel like homework for this conflict.
The largest identify on the sideline will probably be Penn State defensive finish Chop Robinson, a projected first-round decide within the NFL Draft, however the Nittany Lions may even be with out cornerback Johnny Dixon and offensive deal with Olumuyiwa Fashanu is questionable.
Ole Miss must make do with out edge Cedric Johnson, however that’s actually its solely key absence.
As common, protection was the calling card for Penn State in 2023.
The Nittany Lions led the nation in yards per play, had been third in factors allowed, second in speeding success fee in opposition to and sixth in passing success fee.
All that mentioned, it’s honest to query whether or not these numbers are a tad inflated because the Large Ten featured some horrible offenses this season.
Shutting down Indiana, Iowa or Rutgers is one factor, however containing Kiffin’s buzzsaw is a very completely different puzzle.
Betting on School Soccer?
Most offenses within the Large Ten are lesser-versions of Penn State, whereas the Rebels rely on deception, explosiveness and a head-spinning tempo.
The Nittany Lions haven’t seen something like this assault in 2023.
Ole Miss does have points stopping the run and that’s the bread-and-butter for Penn State when it has the ball, however the Rebels secondary needs to be a troublesome nut to crack for Drew Allar and an offense that didn’t make a behavior of racking up massive performs.
The betting market appears to be in Penn State’s nook as this line opened with the Nittany Lions as a 2.5-point favourite and so they’re now sitting at -4, however I believe this matchup of polar opposites advantages the underdog.
Not solely ought to Ole Miss be the extra motivated facet, however their quick-strike offense ought to be capable of preserve them on this recreation from the opening kick.
There’s loads of variance on this recreation and that’s at all times a great factor for the underdog.
Ole Miss vs. Penn State prediction
The Wager: Ole Miss ML (+154, DraftKings)