Penn State versus Ole Miss this Saturday in the Peach Bowl will be a showcase of two teams with drastically different playstyles. The Rebels are an explosive unit that averages 14.43 yards per completion, a staggering number by all accounts. The Nittany Lion defense only gives up 3.9 yards per play, an equally impressive number.
Two strengths going at each other should be fun to watch. Can Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss passing attack continue its dominant downfield game, or will Penn State’s defense, with multiple future NFL players leading its secondary, prove too much to overcome? And don’t forget the Rebels run the ball with a head-down mentality as well. Tune in on Saturday at noon on ESPN to watch these two units go head to head. It is guaranteed to be a sight.
Now, both units can make life more challenging for one another, and both coaching staffs will try to add multiple wrinkles to make life even more difficult. Let’s take a look at five keys the Penn State defense must try and do in order to defeat Ole Miss and capture another New Year’s Six bowl victory.