Duke Blue Devils (9-3) will face the No. 16 Ole Miss Rebels (9-3) in the Gator Bowl on January 2 at 7:30 p.m. EST. The odds from BetMGM favor Ole Miss by a margin of 13 points.
A key area of focus in this matchup will be the contrast between Duke’s defense and Ole Miss’ offense. Duke’s defense is ranked 44th in the nation, allowing an average of 344.2 yards per game. In stark contrast, Ole Miss boasts an impressive offense, averaging 521.5 yards per game, placing them second in college football. Duke struggles offensively with only 96.5 rushing yards per game, ranking 126th in the FBS, while Ole Miss’s defense ranks second in the country, giving up an average of just 83.5 rushing yards.
In their most recent outings, Ole Miss secured a victory against Mississippi State, winning 26-14. Quarterback Jaxson Dart showcased his abilities by passing for 143 yards on 14-of-24 completions, achieving a 58.3% completion rate with one touchdown and no interceptions. Dart also contributed on the ground, rushing 13 times for 77 yards. Ulysses Bentley IV had a standout performance in the same game, carrying the ball 20 times for 136 yards and adding a touchdown, along with a reception for seven yards. Caden Prieskorn was another key player, catching four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Duke, on the other hand, clinched a narrow win against Wake Forest, finishing 23-17. Quarterback Maalik Murphy was effective, throwing for 235 yards on 26-of-34 passing, which translates to a completion percentage of 76.5%. Murphy recorded one touchdown and one interception during the game and had two rushing attempts resulting in a loss of eight yards, though he did manage to score on a rush. Star Thomas also contributed significantly, amassing 66 rushing yards on 14 carries with one touchdown, in addition to five receptions for 27 yards. Meanwhile, Jordan Moore caught five passes for 98 yards and secured a touchdown.
Several players will be pivotal to watch in this contest. For Ole Miss, Jaxson Dart ranks fifth in the nation with 3,875 passing yards, averaging 322.9 yards per game. He has a completion percentage of 68.6% with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with 453 rushing yards to his name. Henry Parrish Jr. has been a solid rushing option, with 693 rushing yards on 131 carries and 10 touchdowns, while also contributing with 15 receptions for 82 yards. Tre Harris stands out as a receiving threat, ranking 15th nationally with 61 catches for 1,063 yards and seven touchdowns.
Duke’s Murphy has 2,932 passing yards this season, placing him 23rd in college football, and a completion rate of 60.3%. He has thrown for 26 touchdowns, ranking him 14th in the nation, alongside 12 interceptions. Star Thomas has made a name for himself with a total of 871 rushing yards on 213 carries and seven touchdowns, while adding 20 catches for 153 yards. Moore has accumulated 798 receiving yards on 50 receptions, scoring seven touchdowns throughout the season.
In statistical comparisons, Ole Miss has outperformed opponents by an average of 23.6 points per game, while Duke’s margin stands at 4.6 points. Additionally, Ole Miss ranks 47th in rushing yards, averaging 177.9 yards per game, but shines defensively, allowing only 83.5 rushing yards, which is second-best among all teams. In terms of scoring, Duke is 73rd nationally, averaging 26.8 points per game, and defensive-wise, they rank 41st with 22.2 points allowed per game.
