by
- No. 22 Clemson is a 7-point favorite over the Kentucky Wildcats
- Dabo Swinney’s refusal to use the transfer portal has knocked his Tigers off the national stage in recent years
- The Gator Bowl kicks off from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL on Dec. 29 at 12 pm ET
Clemson (8-4) ended the season on a four-game winning streak while Kentucky (7-5) dropped five of their past seven contests. Dabo Swinney is 11-8 all-time in bowl games, and Mark Stoops has a 4-3 career record.
Which program will cap off a disappointing season with a Gator Bowl victory? Before we check the latest line, take a look at our 2023-24 College Football Betting sites and get the Best College Football Bowl Odds.
Clemson vs Kentucky
 | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
| Clemson | -7.0 (-110) | -275 | Ov 46.5 (-110) |
| Kentucky | +7.0 (-110) | +230 | Un 46.5 (-110) |
Dabo’s fall from grace
It wasn’t too long ago that Clemson was mentioned in the same breath as Alabama. From 2015-20, the Tigers made six-straight College Football Playoff appearances and captured two national titles. However, after a mediocre 8-4 campaign, they’ll now be playing in their second non-New Year’s Six Bowl in three years.
Before this season, Dabo Swinney’s squad had won at least 10 games for 12 consecutive seasons. In 2023, they opened the year at 4-4 before reeling off four straight wins with victories over ranked teams like Notre Dame and UNC.
Dabo Swinney, Mark Stoops asked about players opting out. This is what they had to say. pic.twitter.com/eXB6wunFPL
— TigerTalk247 (@Tigertalk247) December 7, 2023
Kentucky’s ugly end to the year
Kentucky won their first five games of the season before being walloped by Georgia 51-13. That was the beginning of the end for Mark Stoops’ team, which went on to lose four of their next six games. The lone bright spot for the Wildcats was an upset victory over a top-10 Louisville team in the regular-season finale.
Tigers vs Wildcats
Clemson is a 7-point favorite at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville with the over/under set at 46.5 points. The Tigers averaged slightly more points than the Wildcats this season – 29.2 vs 28.6. Cade Klubnik finished with 2,580 passing yards with 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions while UK starter Devin Leary threw for 2,440 yards with 23 TDs and 10 INTs.
Both teams have quality ground games. Clemson’s Phil Mafah piled up 894 rushing yards and nine scores, and Kentucky’s Ray Davis ran for 1,066 yards with 20 total TDs.
Kentucky running back Ray Davis signals he will play in Gator Bowl vs. Clemson after all https://t.co/KvqiSV4Bv3
— Herald-Leader Sports (@KentuckySports) December 8, 2023
Bowl history
Clemson is 4-5 all-time at the Gator Bowl and hasn’t appeared in one since 2008. Meanwhile, this is Kentucky’s third trip to the Gator Bowl since 2016. The Tigers are 5-8 all-time against the Wildcats, but won their last matchup – a 2009 Music City Bowl game that also happened to be Dabo’s first year in charge.
Kentucky reeled off wins in four-straight bowl games from 2018 to 2021 before being blown out in the Music City Bowl by Iowa last year. Clemson also came away empty handed in the Orange Bowl in 2022, falling to Tennessee 31-14.
Best Bet
Both these teams have run hot and cold all season and it’s too early to tell which players might opt out for each side. Therefore, we’ll take Kentucky to cover the spread (+7) in the Gator Bowl with the UNDER 46.5 points.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
