JACKSONVILLE — During Clemson’s four-game winning streak heading into today’s Gator Bowl matchup with Kentucky, the 22nd-ranked Tigers have averaged 225.5 yards per outing on the ground.
For Clemson to extend its record for consecutive years of winning at least one postseason game, it will need to run the football to beat the Wildcats at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
However, that is not as easy to do as it sounds.
The Tigers face a Kentucky defense that is yielding just 3.3 yards per carry and 113 yards per game on the ground. It’s a defense that is big and strong on the defensive line, led by 6-foot-6, 348-pound defensive tackle Deone Walker.
“They are one of the best run defenses in the country,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “They are stout at all three levels. They are active and physical at safety. Their linebackers fly downhill and have big strong dudes up front.
“(Walker) is one of the biggest guys that we have seen. They are well coached and pride themselves on running the football and that you do not run on them.”
The Wildcats will try to counter with running back Ray Davis. He ranks third in the SEC with 1,066 yards, while averaging nearly six yards per carry. He also leads the SEC with 20 total touchdowns.
“For us, it is about lining up and doing our job every single play,” Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter said. “We just have to play Clemson defense and we will be fine.”
No. 22 Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5)
Kickoff: Friday, Dec. 29, Noon
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Spread: Clemson -4.0
Over/Under: 44.5
Series: Kentucky leads 8-5
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Clemson looks to end its season with a five-game win streak, which could make up a little for the first year since 2010 that the Tigers have not won 10-games in a season. The Tigers are (12) attempting to tie Yale (13 straight from 1886-98) for the fourth-most consecutive nine-win seasons in major college football history, trailing only Nebraska (33 from 1969-2001), Alabama (16 from 2008-23) and Florida State (14 from 1987-2000). Between ACC Championship Games, bowl games and the College Football Playoff, Clemson has won at least one postseason game in each of the last 12 years, the longest streak in FBS history.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson’s front seven will have to stop Kentucky running back Ray Davis without two of its top defenders. All-American Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and All-ACC defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro have both opted not to play in the Gator Bowl. Davis ranks third in the SEC with 1,066 yards on the ground, while his 20 total touchdowns lead the conference. He also has 29 receptions for 317 yards and seven touchdowns. The Tigers are allowing just 116.5 yards per game on the ground. Clemson ranks seventh nationally in total defense (278.7 yds/game).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for just 100 yards on 15 of 27 passing with one interception in the Tigers’ regular season finale victory over South Carolina. With how Kentucky likes to stuff the run game, Klubnik’s passing will be huge in this game. The Wildcats have one of the worst secondaries in the SEC, giving up 238.5 yards per game. Klubnik and Clemson’s receivers need to take advantage of the Wildcats’ weakness. It also would not hurt for Klubnik to run for another 50 yards like he did against the Gamecocks.
Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary is very familiar with Clemson. He faced the Tigers three times while he was the quarterback at NC State. Though Leary is 1-2 in his three meetings against Clemson, statistically, he did pretty well against Clemson’s defense. He completed 74 of 120 passes (61.6 percent) for 649 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. However, Clemson sacked Leary eight times in three games, including three in each of the last two meetings.
THIS AND THAT
On this date in 1978, Clemson defeated Ohio State 17- 15 at the Gator Bowl in Danny Ford’s first game as head coach and Woody Hayes’ final game at Ohio State. The winning touchdown was scored by freshman Cliff Austin, who scored a critical touchdown three years later in Clemson’s national championship win against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Charlie Bauman made the key play with an interception of an Art Schlichter pass with just two minutes left. He ran the return out of bounds on the Ohio State sideline and was punched by Hayes.
FINAL ANALYSIS
It will be interesting to see how Clemson defends Davis without Trotter in the middle of the defense. Also, can Klubnik play well away from Clemson? Since his MVP performance in the 2022 ACC Championship Game, he has not played well in true road games or on neutral site fields.
PREDICTION
Clemson 24, Kentucky 20
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
