Early predictions for College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six bowls

Sugar Bowl

Is another game between teams that weren’t expected to meet in the New Year’s Six bowls, Ole Miss and Baylor will meet in the Sugar Bowl.

The Bears are coming off a conference championship, a title they claimed for the second time in the playoff era. But this run was even sweeter than that championship that was shared with TCU.

Head coach Dave Aranda has proven to be one of the young coaches in America and the Bears have one of college football’s top defenses. It forced four turnovers and had two goal-line stands.

But Heisman Trophy candidate Matt Corral will be a different challenge. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are aiming for a Sugar Bowl title and an 11-win season — a rarity in Ole Miss football — so expect both teams to be hungry.

In the end, I’ll take the Rebels. The quarterback will make the difference and the Ole Miss defense will show that it can play too.