Jackson Free Press

Bowl games are all about motivation. Sometimes, the best team doesn't win. It's the team that is excited, and both the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University should be excited about being in their respective games.

On Wednesday, Dec. 31, Mississippi faces Texas Christian University in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, and Mississippi State faces Georgia Institute of Technology in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

The Peach Bowl should be a great match between the high-powered Horned Frog offense and the stout Rebels defense. Mississippi has Cody Prewitt and Senquez Golson to give TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin fits when he drops back to pass. Boykin has vastly improved since last season. The Rebels' biggest challenge will be when things break down, and Boykin scrambles. Mississippi can't let Boykin keep plays alive with his legs.

The Horned Frog defense is nice, but it doesn't stack up to the Ole Miss defense. The main thing the Rebels can't do is turn the ball over on offense. If Ole Miss' defense can play like they have all season, then TCU can't score.

Mississippi State lost defensive coordinator Geoff Collins to Florida, but a scheme should already be in place for the Orange Bowl. The biggest factor for this game is if the Bulldogs can stop the Yellow Jackets' offense. There aren't many teams that run the triple option anymore. While that is an advantage for the "Ramblin' Wreck" in most games, it doesn't help when teams play them to start the regular season, off a bye week or a bowl game. The more time a team has to prepare, the better they should be against the option.

This also plays into the Bulldogs' strength. Mississippi State's defense is great against the run. Against the pass—well, let's say they try hard. Georgia Tech is better at passing this year, but they aren't going to look like Oregon. MSU should be able to move the ball against Georgia Tech, which is mainly opportunistic.

If the Bulldogs can put their foot on the gas and not let off until the final gun, I believe you could wrap this game in Maroon and White.