Ranking the 10 best non-College Football Playoff bowl games
5. TaxSlayer Gator Bowl: Duke vs. Ole Miss
The Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 in Jacksonville is one of multiple matchups on this list that features two programs playing each other for the first time. It should make for an intriguing contest, especially with both teams finishing the regular season at 9-3 and fourth in their respective conferences.
Even after losing Mike Elko to Texas A&M, the Blue Devils had a strong year in Manny Diaz鈥檚 first season with two of their losses coming to playoff-bound SMU and Miami. Duke鈥檚 defense has been solid throughout the year and will be relied upon in this matchup with the Blue Devils missing starting quarterback Maalik Murphy. Henry Belin IV will get the start with Murphy in the transfer portal. Meanwhile, No. 14 Ole Miss finished just shy of a playoff berth but will look to make a statement in Jacksonville. Most key pieces will be in place for an offense that ranked No. 2 in the country in the regular season, headlined by quarterback Jaxson Dart.
