Kentucky Wildcats (7-5) vs Clemson Tigers (8-4)
2023-12-29 12:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Kentucky Wildcats +4.5 -- Over/Under: 45
(Get latest betting odds)
The Clemson Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats meet in college football action from EverBank Stadium on Friday afternoon. It’s the Gator Bowl on Friday, who comes out on top? Let’s dive in and find out with our Clemson vs. Kentucky Prediction.
Clemson Team Preview
The Clemson Tigers come into this bowl game with a record of 8-4 in the SEC East standings. Cade Klubnik has thrown for 2,580 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on 63% passing while Phil Mafah has a team-high 894 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns and Will Shipley has 798 rushing yards and 5 TDs this season. Tyler Brown leads the Tigers with 51 receptions for 519 yards and 4 touchdowns while Beaux Collins has 510 receiving yards with 3 TDs but is currently in the transfer portal. Jake Briningstool has 41 grabs for 407 receiving yards with 5 touchdowns while three more Wildcats have 200+ receiving yards as well. On defense, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has a team-high 87 total tackles and a team-high 5.5 sacks while T.J. Parker and Ruke Orhorhoro each have 5 sacks. Khalil Barnes also has 3 interceptions as well for Clemson this season. However, it’s worth noting that Trotter Jr. and Orhorhoro each have opted out of this game.
Clemson Tigers Team Facts
Clemson has won 57 of its last 63 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Clemson has covered the spread in 10 of its last 11 games in December.
Clemson has won the first quarter in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
Clemson has won the first half in each of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Clemson’s last six games in December have gone UNDER the total points line.
Kentucky Team Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats come into the bowl game with a record of 7-5 on the year. Devin Leary has thrown for 2,440 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on 56.3% passing while Ray Davis has a team-high 1,066 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Dane Key leads Kentucky with 553 receiving yards along with 5 touchdowns while Tayvion Robinson has 507 receiving yards and Barion Brown has 439 receiving yards with a team-high 40 receptions. On defense, D’Eryk Jackson has a team-high 81 total tackles while Deone Walker has a team-high 5.5 sacks and J.J. Weaver has 5 sacks. Maxwell Hairston also has a team-high 5 interceptions this season.
Kentucky Wildcats Team Facts
Kentucky has won 24 of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents.
Kentucky has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Kentucky has won the first quarter in three of its last four games against opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Kentucky has won the first half in 19 of its last 25 games against non-conference opponents.
Four of Kentucky’s last five games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Clemson vs. Kentucky Prediction
I’m leaning towards Kentucky here. I just have questions about this inconsistent Clemson offense that’s taken a hit with Beaux Collins in the portal. Clemson’s defense is solid as usual, but they’ve lost a couple of their top defenders in Trotter Jr. and Orhorhoro, and I think that could be enough for Kentucky to potentially keep this one close if not steal it outright. Give me Kentucky and the points.
