Gator Bowl – Clemson vs Kentucky Free Picks
The Absence of Several Key Clemson Players Has Impacted the Gator Bowl Betting Line
ACC Power Clemson Is Favored in First Meeting With Kentucky Since 2009
Defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Clemson fell well short of repeating and being a factor in the national championship race as the Tigers finished four games in back of Florida State.
Kentucky was perfect in non-conference play, but lost five times in the SEC. Clemson opened as the seven-point favorite in the 2023 Gator Bowl according to the college football betting lines. The line has moved to Clemson favored by five points.
This is the first meeting between the teams since Clemson topped Kentucky 21-13 at the 2009 Music City Bowl. Clemson was favored by 6½ points in that game.
Kentucky has won its last seven games against ACC teams. Can the Wildcats continue that run against Clemson? There is a feeling that the game could have more significance for a Kentucky team eyeing its eighth win than it does for Clemson since the Tigers had a disappointing 2023 NCAAF season.
Clemson is 4-1 in its last five bowl games that aren’t a part of the College Football Playoffs. Kentucky has won four of its last five bowl games and two of those victories came against ACC teams.
Clemson will be missing key players on both sides of the ball with Beaux Collins, who is second on the Tigers with 510 receiving yards, and third-leading tackler Andre Mukuba in the transfer portal.
Top tackler Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (88 tackles, 15 tackles for loss), defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro and cornerback Nate Wiggins (29 tackles, two interceptions) have opted out with an eye on the upcoming NFL Draft.
When looking at 2023 NCAAF injuries, offensive lineman Marcus Tate, receivers Ronan Hanafin and Brannon Spector as well as safety Jayln Phillips are questionable for Clemson.
For Kentucky, tight end Jordan Dingle (11 catches) and edge rusher Keaten Wade (35 tackles) are in the transfer portal. Keep that in mind when looking at the NCAAF odds for this matchup.
Gator Bowl
Tigers vs Wildcats 
Day/Time:
Records: Clemson (8-4)/Kentucky (7-5)
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+
Clemson Struggling to Seal the Deal
With two losses in overtime and another by one score, the 2023 Clemson team couldn’t close out games like some of Dabo Swinney’s recent teams.
The Tigers ranked 107th nationally in points per game in the fourth quarter of games as the Tigers were outscored 25-0 in the fourth quarter in losses to Duke and Miami. Will that happen again in the 2023 Gator Bowl?
Ranking seventh in passing offense didn’t help and neither did top running back Will Shipley not looking right for much of the season.
It should be noted that Kentucky has allowed more points in the fourth quarter than it has scored.
Even with all the NCAAF players sitting this game out for Clemson, the Tigers annually have strong recruiting classes so it will be a next-man-up mentality as the Tigers look to roar in the final game of the 2023 season.
Wildcats Looking to End Season in Style
Devin Leary threw for more than 300 yards seven times during his time at North Carolina State. It has been a much different deal after transferring to Kentucky.
Leary did top 300 yards in a win over Akron and a loss to Tennessee, but he was also held under 200 yards in six of the last eight games.
In the last three games, he had five TD passes and three interceptions.
Will the Kentucky coaches let Leary air it out as the Wildcats look to build on a win over Louisville in the regular-season finale? That is something to keep an eye on heading into the 2023 Gator Bowl.
Points Could Come Early And Often in the First Responder Bowl
So just who is left for Clemson to play in this game?
Between injuries, impending transfers and players with one eye toward the NFL Draft, this figures to be a much different team than the one expected to be among the best teams in the ACC coming into the season.
When it comes to the college football bowl games, Clemson is still favored against a Kentucky team that started the season 5-0 before the schedule became significantly more challenging.
Kentucky has lost six of its last seven games when listed as the underdog.
The total has gone over in seven of the last nine games played by Kentucky. The total for this game opened at 48.5 and is currently at 46. The total has gone under in four of the last five games that Clemson played against SEC teams and in six of the last nine games overall.
Clemson is 6-6 against the college football betting lines and 5-5 when favored. Kentucky covered in just one of five games as the underdog and like Clemson, the Wildcats were 6-6 ATS.
There has been very little movement in the total with the total currently at 46.5. Good luck trying to figure out what to expect in this NCAAF matchup but that total is rather enticing and we’d go with the over.
A full-strength Clemson team would be the obvious pick. Even with some key players sitting this game out, why not go with the Tigers in this matchup?
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
