.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Peach Buzz: Similar Roads Bring Ole Miss, Penn State to Atlanta
12/7/2023 | Football
Presented by Kroger
OXFORD, Miss. – No. 11 Ole Miss and No. 10 Penn State each showed that they're one of the best teams in college football this season, both taking similar paths en route to 10-2 records and berths in the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
For similarities in their resumes, look no further than their losses. Both Ole Miss and Penn State beat nearly every team they faced—except for arguably the four most talented teams in the country.
The Rebels' two defeats came at the hands of the eventual SEC champion Alabama and two-time reigning national champion Georgia. The Nittany Lion losses came at the hands of then-No. 3 Ohio State and now-No. 1 Michigan. But the similarities don't end there.
Both Ole Miss and Penn State faced tough tests in the early going against talented regional opponents.
The Nittany Lions had to fight off Big 12 Conference foe West Virginia in Week 1 as the pair renewed their rivalry for the first time since 1992. The following week, the Rebels picked up a Top 25 win down the road in New Orleans at Tulane.
While PSU took down WVU in Week 1, Ole Miss outclassed a Top 25 FCS team in Mercer, 73-7. The Nittany Lions did the same in Week 2, topping FCS No. 12 Delaware, 63-7.
Ole Miss then added a Power 5 non-conference win of its own with a 48-23 win over Georgia Tech. The following week, though, brought the Rebels' first defeat at Alabama. Penn State's came a couple games later at Ohio State.
The Rebels and the Nittany Lions each picked up marquee conference wins in the early half of the season. Penn State did so with defense in a 31-0 victory over fellow 10-win team Iowa on Sept. 23. Ole Miss did it with offense in a 55-49 win over LSU a week later.
That win over LSU sparked a five-game conference win streak for Ole Miss that included four wins by one possession. The Nittany Lions sailed more smoothly through their Big Ten schedule, but both teams woke up on Nov. 11 at 8-1 with a massive opportunity ahead—Ole Miss at Georgia and PSU at home against Michigan.
Unfortunately, neither team pulled off the upset on that day, but each bounced back with consecutive wins to close out the year. Penn State notched two more league wins over Rutgers and Michigan State, while Ole Miss beat ULM and in-state rival Mississippi State to hit double-digit wins and earn a New Year's Six berth, bringing them to Atlanta.
Tickets are available now at OleMissTix.com. Grab the latest bowl gear and your Red gameday outfit through Ole Miss Authentics!
For similarities in their resumes, look no further than their losses. Both Ole Miss and Penn State beat nearly every team they faced—except for arguably the four most talented teams in the country.
The Rebels' two defeats came at the hands of the eventual SEC champion Alabama and two-time reigning national champion Georgia. The Nittany Lion losses came at the hands of then-No. 3 Ohio State and now-No. 1 Michigan. But the similarities don't end there.
Both Ole Miss and Penn State faced tough tests in the early going against talented regional opponents.
The Nittany Lions had to fight off Big 12 Conference foe West Virginia in Week 1 as the pair renewed their rivalry for the first time since 1992. The following week, the Rebels picked up a Top 25 win down the road in New Orleans at Tulane.
While PSU took down WVU in Week 1, Ole Miss outclassed a Top 25 FCS team in Mercer, 73-7. The Nittany Lions did the same in Week 2, topping FCS No. 12 Delaware, 63-7.
Ole Miss then added a Power 5 non-conference win of its own with a 48-23 win over Georgia Tech. The following week, though, brought the Rebels' first defeat at Alabama. Penn State's came a couple games later at Ohio State.
The Rebels and the Nittany Lions each picked up marquee conference wins in the early half of the season. Penn State did so with defense in a 31-0 victory over fellow 10-win team Iowa on Sept. 23. Ole Miss did it with offense in a 55-49 win over LSU a week later.
That win over LSU sparked a five-game conference win streak for Ole Miss that included four wins by one possession. The Nittany Lions sailed more smoothly through their Big Ten schedule, but both teams woke up on Nov. 11 at 8-1 with a massive opportunity ahead—Ole Miss at Georgia and PSU at home against Michigan.
Unfortunately, neither team pulled off the upset on that day, but each bounced back with consecutive wins to close out the year. Penn State notched two more league wins over Rutgers and Michigan State, while Ole Miss beat ULM and in-state rival Mississippi State to hit double-digit wins and earn a New Year's Six berth, bringing them to Atlanta.
Tickets are available now at OleMissTix.com. Grab the latest bowl gear and your Red gameday outfit through Ole Miss Authentics!
The Rebs are 𝐁𝐎𝐖𝐋 𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃.
— Ole Miss Athletics (@OleMissSports) December 3, 2023
Get prepped and purchase your Peach Bowl gear today!
PRESSER | TJ Dottery - Postgame vs Mississippi State (11-28-25)
Saturday, November 29
PRESSER | Trinidad Chambliss - Postgame at Mississippi State (11-28-25)
Friday, November 28
PRESSER | Kewan Lacy - Postgame vs. Mississippi State (11-28-25)
Friday, November 28
Will Echoles' Sack at Mississippi State
Friday, November 28