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The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will see the Clemson Tigers battle the Kentucky Wildcats.
Clemson vs. Kentucky Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 3.5 points, with sportsbooks listing Clemson as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Clemson has -170 odds to pick up the win, while Kentucky is listed at +138 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the total for the game is set at 43.5 points.
Game Info
How to Watch Clemson vs. Kentucky Live?
- Game Day: Friday, December 29, 2023
- Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Stadium: TIAA Bank Field
Betting Preview
Clemson
On the defensive side of the ball, Clemson has been a top-25 unit, ranking sixth-best by surrendering only 278.9 yards per game. The offense ranks 52nd (406.5 yards per game). Clemson owns the 57th-ranked offense this season (29.2 points per game), and has been better defensively, ranking 22nd-best with only 19.9 points allowed per game. Clemson ranks 64th in passing yards this season (225.4 per game), but has been shining on the other side of the ball, ranking fifth-best in the FBS with 162.2 passing yards allowed per game. Clemson ranks 36th in rushing yards this season (181.1 rushing yards per game), but has been playing really well on defense, ranking 24th-best in the FBS with 116.8 rushing yards allowed per game. Clemson sports the 49th-ranked offense this year in terms of third-down efficiency (41.2% percentage), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 18th-best with a 31.8% third-down conversion rate allowed. With 17 forced turnovers (17th in the FBS) against 12 turnovers committed (44th in the FBS), Clemson (+5) has the 27th-ranked turnover margin in college football.
Kentucky
Kentucky is putting up 335.1 total yards per contest on offense this season (100th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 353.2 total yards per contest (42nd-ranked). With 28.6 points per game on offense, Kentucky ranks 58th in the FBS. Defensively, it ranks 57th, giving up 24.8 points per game. With 203.8 passing yards per game on offense, Kentucky ranks 94th in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 90th, giving up 238.6 passing yards per game. Kentucky’s run defense has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks 22nd-best in the FBS with 114.6 rushing yards conceded per contest. In terms of offense, it is putting up 131.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 98th. Kentucky has been struggling on third down, ranking 21st-worst with a 44.4% third-down conversion rate allowed per game. It has been more productive offensively, regstering a 38.1% third-down rate (73rd-ranked). At +2, Kentucky owns the 48th-ranked turnover margin in the FBS, with 14 forced turnovers (47th in the FBS) and 12 turnovers committed (44th in the FBS).
Clemson vs. Kentucky Betting Analysis
Clemson Betting Insights
Clemson has covered the spread six times over 12 games with a set spread. Clemson has an ATS record of 5-5 when playing as at least 3.5-point favorites. This season, five Clemson games have gone over the point total. The Tigers have put together a 6-3 record in games they were listed as the moneyline favorite (winning 66.7% of those games). The Tigers are 4-3 (winning 66.7% of their games) when they have played as a moneyline favorite of -170 or shorter.
Kentucky Betting Insights
Kentucky has covered the spread in a game six times this year (6-6-0). Kentucky has an ATS record of 1-3 when playing as at least 3.5-point underdogs. Games involving Kentucky have hit the over on eight occasions this season. This season, the Wildcats have been the underdog five times and won one of those games. This season, the Wildcats have won two of their five games when they’re the underdog by at least +138 on the moneyline.
Clemson vs. Kentucky Against The Spread & Betting Records
Clemson
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 51.6 | 53.6 | 48.9 |
| Implied Total AVG | 32.9 | 35.9 | 28.8 |
| ATS Record | 6-6-0 | 4-3-0 | 2-3-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 5-7-0 | 4-3-0 | 1-4-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 6-3 | 4-0 | 2-3 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 1-1 | 1-1 | 0-0 |
Kentucky
| Overall | Home | Away | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Total AVG | 49.4 | 50.1 | 48.4 |
| Implied Total AVG | 30.9 | 32.6 | 28.6 |
| ATS Record | 6-6-0 | 3-4-0 | 3-2-0 |
| Over/Under Record | 8-4-0 | 5-2-0 | 3-2-0 |
| Moneyline Favorite Record | 5-1 | 3-1 | 2-0 |
| Moneyline Underdog Record | 1-4 | 0-2 | 1-2 |
Players to Watch
Clemson
- In addition to his 2,580 passing yards and 63.0% completion percentage this season, Cade Klubnik has thrown for 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
- In addition to the numbers he’s generated through the air, Klubnik has also contributed 184 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.
- As part of the Tigers’ running game, Phil Mafah has rushed for 894 yards and nine touchdowns on 5.3 YPC.
- Will Shipley has piled up 798 rushing yards (72.5 yards per game) and five touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry in 11 games for the Tigers.
- Shipley has delivered 235 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 29 catches as a receiver.
- As an important contributor in the Tigers’ passing offense, Tyler Brown has compiled 517 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 50 receptions.
- With five sacks to go with three TFL, 75 tackles, and two interceptions in 12 games, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been a big part of the Tigers’ defensive unit in 2023.
- Barrett Carter has suited up for 10 games, posting 49 tackles, two TFL, and two sacks for the Tigers.
- Khalil Barnes has played nine games, collecting 26 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and three interceptions for the Tigers.
- With one sack to go along with one TFL, 19 tackles, and two interceptions, Nate Wiggins has helped propel the Tigers’ defense over nine games.
Kentucky
- In 12 games, Re’Mahn Davis has run for 1,066 yards (88.8 per game) and 13 touchdowns.
- In addition, Davis has 29 catches for 317 yards and seven touchdowns.
- In 12 games, Devin Leary has thrown for 2,440 yards (203.3 per game), with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 55.9%.
- In the passing game, Barion Brown has scored three TDs, catching 40 balls for 439 yards (36.6 per game).
- In the passing game, Dane Key has scored five TDs, hauling in 38 balls for 553 yards (55.3 per game).
- In 12 games for the Wildcats, Maxwell Hairston has compiled one TFL, 55 tackles, and five interceptions.
- On defense, D’Eryk Jackson has helped lead the charge with 71 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and two interceptions in 12 games.
- Trevin Wallace has been causing chaos on defense, collecting four sacks to go with five TFL, 57 tackles, and one interception for the Wildcats.
- The Wildcats’ Deone Walker has posted 47 tackles, two TFL, and five sacks in 11 games.
Clemson vs. Kentucky Predictions and Pick
Clemson vs. Kentucky betting card
- Pick ATS:
Clemson (-3.5)
- Pick OU: Over (43.5)
How to Bet on Clemson vs. Kentucky
You can bet on Clemson vs. Kentucky at every legal online sportsbook. For more college football odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as college football prop odds, check out the latest college football lines as well as our guide to the best college football betting sites.
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Our pick to win this matchup is Clemson, and we predict that Clemson will cover the spread (Clemson -3.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 43.5 points.