In a clash of contrasting styles, the Peach Bowl on Saturday will feature a matchup between Penn State and Ole Miss. Penn State, known for their slug-it-out defense and methodical offense, is favored by four points against the fast-paced, explosive Ole Miss team led by head coach Lane Kiffin.

While both teams have some key absences, the opt-out list for this game is not extensive. Penn State will be missing defensive end Chop Robinson, a projected first-round pick in the NFL Draft, as well as cornerback Johnny Dixon. Offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is questionable for the game. On the other side, Ole Miss will have to make do without edge Cedric Johnson, but that is their only significant absence.

Penn State's defense has been their calling card throughout the season, leading the country in yards per play and ranking highly in points allowed, rushing success rate against, and passing success rate. However, some question the strength of their defensive numbers due to the weaker offenses they faced in the Big Ten. Going up against Ole Miss, with their deceptive and explosive offense, will present a completely different challenge for Penn State.

On the offensive side, Penn State relies heavily on their running game, which could pose a problem for Ole Miss, who struggles to stop the run. However, the Rebels' secondary is expected to provide a tough challenge for Penn State quarterback Drew Allar and an offense that didn't excel in big plays.

In terms of betting, the market initially favored Penn State, with the Nittany Lions opening as a 2.5-point favorite and now sitting at -4. However, the matchup between these polar opposite teams could benefit the underdog, Ole Miss. The Rebels' quick-strike offense and motivation to prove themselves should keep them competitive throughout the game. With plenty of variance expected, the underdog seems like a favorable bet. The prediction for the game is in favor of Ole Miss, with the recommendation to bet on them to win outright.

In the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Oregon State and Notre Dame will face off in El Paso, Texas. This game has been heavily impacted by opt-outs, with numerous players from both teams choosing not to participate. Additionally, there have been significant coaching changes leading up to the game, making it difficult to predict the outcome.

Notre Dame will be without eight offensive starters, while Oregon State's top two quarterbacks have entered the transfer portal. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the game, a pick is still made, favoring Oregon State as they are getting almost a touchdown in terms of the point spread.

Oregon State had a strong start to the season, going 8-2, but stumbled in their final two games against Washington and Oregon. Notre Dame finished the regular season 9-3, winning four of their last five games. However, regular-season stats and metrics may not be relevant in this game due to the significant number of starters not playing, coaching changes, and transfer portal activity.

Notre Dame's offense will be led by sophomore quarterback Steve Angeli, who will be making his first career start. With the majority of the starting offense sitting out and the departure of offensive coordinator Gerad Parker, the Fighting Irish face a challenging situation. On the other hand, Oregon State has the advantage of an experienced quarterback in Ben Gulbranson, who played in 10 games last season and was named MVP in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Both teams will also be missing key players on defense, with Notre Dame having opt-outs on every level of their defense, while Oregon State will be without linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, their leading tackler.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the game, Oregon State is seen as the more favorable pick due to their experienced quarterback and the points they are receiving. However, there is not a strong conviction in this pick. The recommendation is to bet on Oregon State to cover the spread.

Overall, both the Peach Bowl and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl present intriguing matchups with unique storylines. College football fans can expect an exciting weekend of bowl games as these teams battle it out on the field.