Kentucky vs. Clemson (Gator Bowl): KSR Staff Predictions

by:KSR•12/28/23

Before the Kentucky Wildcats and Clemson Tigers kick off Friday afternoon in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, the KSR staff was asked to give their predictions for the game. Below you’ll find how everyone responded to how the Gator Bowl will play out, plus a score prediction for Kentucky Basketball‘s game versus Illinois State in Rupp Arena on Friday night.

Tyler Thompson

I’ll leave the Xs and Os of this matchup to the football guys; however, when it comes to the all-important “Who wants to be there more” factor, I think Kentucky has the edge. After the win over Louisville, several of Kentucky’s best players decided to opt out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Once the matchup vs. Clemson in the Gator Bowl was announced, most of those players, including RB Ray Davis, ILB Trevin Wallace, and DB Andru Phillips, decided to opt back in. Something about a Florida bowl against a brand-name opponent, I guess.

On the flip side, several key defensive players for Clemson are opting out, including star tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, All-ACC middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and All-ACC cornerback Nate Wiggins. The Tigers will start two freshmen at cornerback, which could mean a big day for Barion Brown, Dane Key, Tayvion Robinson, and the rest of Kentucky’s wide receivers. With Ray Davis suiting up, Devin Leary eager to end his Kentucky career on a good note, and hopefully a lot of blue in the stands, I have the Cats pulling off the “upset” vs. the Tigers in part one of a BBN Friday doubleheader.

Gator Bowl Score: Kentucky 24, Clemson 21
BONUS basketball score: Kentucky 91, Illinois State 68

Nick Roush

Is Kentucky who we thought they were? Or did something actually click in the win at Louisville?

Situational football and second half execution were a clear weakness for these Wildcats, until it wasn’t. Kentucky had three total fourth quarter points in its previous three one-score games. Then they outscored Louisville 17-7 in a come-from-behind win over a Top 10 team.

Once again, this feels like a toss-up game that will be decided in the final period. Clemson’s offensive strength is running the football and stopping the run is the best thing the Kentucky defense does. The Tigers have a bunch of opt-outs on defense, but can Kentucky’s inconsistent passing game take advantage of their depleted secondary?

We saw this game unfold four times in 2023. I’d like to think the team that showed up for the last trophy game will be the one we’ll see in Jacksonville. Make plays in critical moments and it’s going to be another fun Gator Bowl victory for the BBN.

Gator Bowl Score: Kentucky 27, Clemson 20
BONUS Basketball Score: Antonio Reeves 43, Illinois State 41

Jack Pilgrim

With one final game to go in 2023, I still don’t really know what this Kentucky team’s consistent identity is. Or maybe it’s just inconsistency in general? We’ve seen them look like world-beaters some games and Average Joes in others. Shoot, that breakdown can probably be on a quarter-by-quarter basis. You’re lying if you can say with confidence you know what to expect with this group. At the end of the day, though, Clemson’s opt-outs outweigh the Kentucky standouts choosing to play in this one, and I think that makes the difference.

The Tigers finished strong, winning four straight to close out the regular season, two of those being against ranked opponents. And besides the season-opening 28-7 loss at Duke, their three other losses were one-score differences, two coming in overtime. This is a different Clemson team, but they’ve been competitive all year, albeit in a crappy ACC.

I’m hoping Kentucky’s offense (specifically the talent at skill positions) can take advantage of a depleted Clemson defense and Brad White’s unit earns enough stops. But again, your guess is as good as mine with this group. Depends on which version of the Cats show up.

Gator Bowl Score: Kentucky 31, Clemson 27
BONUS Basketball Score: Kentucky 94, Illinois State 55

Adam Luckett

A big opportunity has arrived for the Kentucky football program. Mark Stoops and his football team will put their stellar ACC record on the line against a Clemson team that closed the season with four big wins in November to save a season that was quickly falling off the tracks.

Bowl season can often get wonky, but I fully expect this to be a full-on fist fight in the trenches. Both teams want to run the football. Both teams have strong defensive fronts that can stop the run. Get ready for a slugfest in Jacksonville.

Clemson has the more efficient offense and defense in this matchup. That could be tough for Kentucky to overcome. The Wildcats have to win the explosive play battle and could use a plus sign in the turnover column.

I trust Clemson to create more scoring opportunities and I’m not sure an up-and-down passing game will create enough splash plays against what has been a stellar defense all season. The game comes down to the wire, but the Tigers walk away with their fifth consecutive win.

Gator Bowl Score: Clemson 27, Kentucky 21
BONUS Basketball Score: Kentucky 83, Illinois State 68

Zack Geoghegan

I’m not really sure what to expect from either team. Kentucky has struggled to find any sort of consistency this season. How will they look after an entire month off? On the flip side, how does Clemson look with so many fresh faces on the field?

In my prediction for the Kentucky-Louisville game, I went with the ‘Cats mainly because I didn’t trust the competition level of the ACC. That turned out to be true. But Clemson is not Louisville, even if the Cardinals posted a better record in the same conference. Clemson finished the season with a pair of Top 25 wins over Notre Dame and North Carolina, plus a season-finale victory over South Carolina — a team Kentucky lost to.

In the end, I’m taking Clemson to win this one down the stretch. Kentucky will even lead going into the fourth quarter too. But Clemson showed more composure than UK in the second half of the season. That will translate to Friday’s bowl game.

Gator Bowl Score: Clemson 24, Kentucky 20
BONUS basketball score: Kentucky 89, Illinois State 64

Drew Franklin

I’ll freely admit that I don’t have a great feel for this game whatsoever. Kentucky is the unofficial ACC runner-up, so the Wildcats should be able to beat a team with four ACC losses. But, it’s Clemson, a program that began the year expecting to reach the College Football Playoff. And how much is each team motivated? Are they motivated?

In my brain, I see one last opportunity for the Kentucky offense to show off an air attack we thought we’d see all year. For Kentucky to win this game, it will take some explosive plays and more from those star receivers who didn’t meet expectations in 2023. With a completely depleted Clemson secondary and true freshmen playing cornerback, I think Kentucky hits enough shots to take the Gator Bowl trophy back to Lexington. The defense will do its part.

Gator Bowl Score: Kentucky 27, Clemson 23
BONUS basketball score: Kentucky 86, Illinois State 69