The Rebels nearly found points on its second drive with a eight-play, 69-yard drive that found itself on the Gators' 11-yard line for a fourth-and-one. Rather than kick the field goal, Ole Miss elected to use its short-yardage package with defensive tackle JJ Pegues, who has six rushing touchdowns on the season.

Those complementary elements conspired to create a seismic shakeup of the playoff landscape. Florida’s 24-17 upset of No. 9 Ole Miss clinched a bowl berth for the hosts (6-5, 4-4 SEC) and knocked the Rebels (8-3, 4-3) from playoff contention.

On a chilly (by Florida standards) late-November afternoon, the Florida defense dominated in the grandest moments. Ninth-ranked Ole Miss entered the contest with the Gators leading the Southeastern Conference in scoring (40.7 points per game) and near the top of the national standings in multiple categories.