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The Gator Bowl will see the Clemson Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats square off on Friday, December 29, 2023. The matchup kicks off at 12:00 PM ET and airs on ESPN.
The Tigers are expected to win by at least a touchdown (currently -7.5) versus the Wildcats. The over/under for this matchup is 48.5 points.
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Game Info for Clemson vs. Kentucky
- Game Day: Friday, December 29, 2023
- Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Stadium: TIAA Bank Field
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson | -7.5 | -108 | -112 | 48.5 | -108 | -112 | -325 | +260 |
Clemson Pick Insights
- Clemson’s ATS record is 6-5-0 this season.
- Clemson has a 5-3 record against the spread in games it was favored by 7.5 points or more this season.
- The teams have hit the over in four of Clemson’s 11 games with a set total.
Clemson Stats & Insights
- Clemson has the 50th-ranked offense this year (405.7 yards per game), and has been even more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking seventh-best with just 279.1 yards allowed per game.
- Clemson owns the 56th-ranked offense this year (29.2 points per game), and has been better on defense, ranking 24th-best with just 19.9 points allowed per game.
- Clemson ranks 63rd in passing yards this season (225.4 per game), but has been thriving on defense, ranking fifth-best in the FBS with 162.6 passing yards allowed per game.
- Clemson is averaging 180.3 rushing yards per game offensively this season (40th in the FBS), and is giving up 116.5 rushing yards per game (27th) on the defensive side of the ball.
- On the defensive side of the ball, Clemson has been a top-25 unit in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking 19th-best by surrendering a 31.8% third-down percentage. The team’s offense ranks 52nd (41.2% third-down conversion rate).
- Clemson has the 34th-ranked turnover margin in college football at +4, forcing 24 turnovers (eighth in the FBS) while turning it over 20 times (100th in the FBS).
Clemson’s Best Players
- Cade Klubnik has thrown for 2,580 yards (215 ypg) to lead Clemson, completing 63% of his passes and collecting 19 touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 194 rushing yards on 110 carries with four rushing touchdowns.
- Phil Mafah has 894 rushing yards on 168 carries with nine touchdowns.
- Will Shipley has collected 798 yards on 156 carries, scoring five times. He’s caught 29 passes for 235 yards (19.6 per game) and two touchdowns, as well.
- Tyler Brown’s 517 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 69 times and has totaled 50 receptions and four touchdowns.
- Beaux Collins has put together a 510-yard season so far with three touchdowns, reeling in 38 passes on 65 targets.
- Jake Briningstool has a total of 407 receiving yards so far this year, grabbing 41 passes and scoring five touchdowns.
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the team’s tackle and sacks leader, has recorded 5.5 sacks, eight TFL, 71 tackles, and two interceptions.
- Khalil Barnes has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with 26 tackles, four TFL, one sack, and three passes defended.
Kentucky Betting Insights
- Kentucky is 6-6-0 ATS this year.
- Kentucky is 1-2 against the spread when an underdog by 7.5 points or more this season.
- The teams have hit the over in eight of Kentucky’s 12 games with a set total.
Kentucky Pick Insights
- In terms of total offense, Kentucky ranks 100th in the FBS (334.7 total yards per game) and 44th on the other side of the ball (352.4 total yards allowed per contest).
- With 28.6 points per game on the offensive side of the ball, Kentucky ranks 58th in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 59th, giving up 24.8 points per contest.
- With 203.8 passing yards per game on offense, Kentucky ranks 94th in the FBS. Defensively, it ranks 88th, allowing 238.6 passing yards per game.
- Kentucky has been keeping opposing offenses in check on run defense, surrendering just 113.8 rushing yards per game (25th-best). On offense, it ranks 96th in the FBS by compiling 130.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kentucky’s defense has been bottom-25 on third down this season, ceding a 44.7% third-down conversion percentage, which ranks 19th-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 70th with a 44.7% third-down rate.
- At +1, Kentucky owns the 53rd-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with 17 forced turnovers (58th in the FBS) and 16 turnovers committed (53rd in the FBS).
Kentucky’s Best Players
- Devin Leary has compiled 2,440 yards (203.3 yards per game) while completing 55.9% of his passes and tossing 23 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions this season.
- The team’s top rusher, Re’Mahn Davis, has carried the ball 186 times for 1,066 yards (88.8 per game) with 13 touchdowns. He’s also caught 29 passes for 317 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Ramon Jefferson has piled up 175 yards (on 24 attempts).
- Dane Key has racked up 553 receiving yards on 38 catches to pace his team so far this season while scoring five touchdowns as a receiver.
- Tayvion Robinson has 37 receptions (on 61 targets) for a total of 507 yards (42.3 yards per game) and four touchdowns this year.
- Barion Brown’s 82 targets have resulted in 40 grabs for 439 yards and three touchdowns.
- Deone Walker has collected 5.5 sacks to pace the team, while also recording 10 TFL and 49 tackles.
- D’Eryk Jackson, Kentucky’s leading tackler, has 74 tackles, four TFL, one sack, and two interceptions this year.
- Maxwell Hairston has picked off a team-high five passes. He also has 55 tackles, one TFL, and five passes defended to his name.
