Simply put, Penn State handles any opponent not named Ohio State or Michigan. The Nittany Lions are on a 21-game straight-up run against all other foes. For Ole Miss under coach Lane Kiffin, beating top 10 teams is usually a bridge too far. The Rebels have done so twice in 17 chances. Penn State is rock-solid on defense, while Ole Miss' D is shaky. The Rebs might have a more spectacular offense, but the Lions' ball-control attack can keep their counterparts off the field.

While the publicized matchup in Atlanta is Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss offense vs. James Franklin's Penn State defense, the outcome is just as likely to be decided by the other platoons. Specifically, can the Nittany Lions offense be trusted to move consistently vs. a real SEC defense with QB Drew Allar throwing check-down after check-down after check-down pass? We suspect it is a clear QB edge for the Rebs and Jaxson Dart, and the Nittany Lions spent most of their season against staid, outmanned Big RTen opposition, before once again falling short against the two toughest foes on their schedule (Ohio State and Michigan). Play Ole Miss (Peach Bowl)

The wrong team is favored in the Peach Bowl. Styles make fights, and the Rebels' offense is capable of turning games into track meets. That's the worst-case scenario for a Nittany Lions team that has been offensively-challenged all season under quarterback Drew Allar. What's more, Nittany Lions' star defensive lineman Chop Robinson has opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Expect Ole Miss to crank up the tempo in a big way and wear down Penn State late to spring the upset.