TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Preview: Duke Blue Devils vs. Ole Miss Rebels

The Duke Blue Devils (9-3) and 14th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels (9-3) will battle in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl when they face off on Thursday, January 2 at 7:30 PM ET at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Rebels are heavily favored over at MYBOOKIE with a point spread at -17.0 (-110) in the Gator Bowl.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Blue Devils are currently on a three-game winning streak, where they have won each game by 10 points or less. Their latest victory was a 23-17 performance over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

They were down by 14 points midway through the third quarter before roaring back with a 13-0 run in the fourth, and then finished the game off with a touchdown as time expired. Maalik Murphy completed 26 of 34 passes totaling 235 yards and a touchdown, but also had an interception.

Their impressive run in the fourth quarter shows they can flip the switch and be a good offensive team. They only had possession of the ball for about 25 minutes, so they will need to make sure they capitalize on their opportunities against the Rebels.

The Blue Devils’ offense produces 26.8 points per game and ranks 76th in the country. Defensively they rank 37th in allowing 22.2 points a game. This spread does not offer a lot of breathing room.

Ole Miss Rebels Betting Preview

The Rebels are coming off a 26-14 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, putting them back on the winning side. Their loss against the Florida Gators prior to that essentially pushed them out of playoff contention.

They were down 14-10 after the first quarter, but steadily added points to push them ahead. Jaxson Dart completed 14 of 24 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown. Ulysses Bentley IV rushed 20 times for 136 yards and a touchdown to lead the ground attack.

They put up 397 yards and held the Bulldogs to 330. Turnovers were a big aspect here, as they forced the Bulldogs to have three.

The Rebels are averaging 37.5 points a game and rank sixth for this output. Their defense has allowed 13.9 points from opposing teams each game, ranking fourth. This is a great spread and one that could easily be seen in this matchup.

Odds, Series Trends, and Free Pick

MyBookie offers you the most appealing TaxSlayer Gator Bowl betting odds, which favors the Rebels by 17 points. Current market analysis suggests the Rebels have an 83.6 percent chance of winning.

Duke’s major starters at quarterback and running back are not going to be here, which is a blow to their offense. The Rebels feel like they should be playing for a championship, so a big chip on their shoulders to prove that they deserve to be in that mix. Look for the Rebels to cover the spread.

Final Pick: Ole Miss Rebels -17.0 (-110)