Clemson at Kentucky - 2023 Matchup Preview

Friday, December 29th 2023 (12:00 PM EST)
Clemson -3.5 (44.5) (-275) Open: -7.0 | 47.0
Clemson 38 - Kentucky: 35 (TaxSlayer Gator Bowl)

Tigers (9 - 4) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (163 - 40)
Avg Score : 30 - 21 (18 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9 - 4 (#28)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: Clemson -5 (SP+ CLEM -1.5)
Projected Score: CLEM: 26 - UK: 21 (47)
CLEM Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
CLEM Travel: 249 miles

Wildcats (7 - 6) (7 - 6 - 0)
Coach Mark Stoops (69 - 59)
Avg Score : 29 - 26 (30 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 6.3 (#63)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
Bowls
CLEM Players
UK Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Clemson's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Mon 9/4	Clemson at Duke	-12.5	54.0	L 7 - 28	U	N
Sat 9/9	Clemson vs Charleston Southern	-50.5	53.0	W 66 - 17	O	N
Sat 9/16	Clemson vs Florida Atlantic	-25.0	51.5	W 48 - 14	O	Y
Sat 9/23	Clemson vs Florida State	+2.0	55.5	L 24 - 31	U	N
Sat 9/30	Clemson at Syracuse	-7.0	52.0	W 31 - 14	U	Y
Sat 10/7	Clemson vs Wake Forest	-21.0	53.5	W 17 - 12	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/21	Clemson at Miami	-3.0	48.5	L 20 - 28	U	N
Sat 10/28	Clemson at NC State	-9.5	44.5	L 17 - 24	U	N
Sat 11/4	Clemson vs Notre Dame	+3.0	44.5	W 31 - 23	O	Y
Sat 11/11	Clemson vs Georgia Tech	-17.5	55.5	W 42 - 21	O	Y
Sat 11/18	Clemson vs North Carolina	-7.5	58.0	W 31 - 20	U	Y
Sat 11/25	Clemson at South Carolina	-7.5	48.0	W 16 - 7	U	Y
Fri 12/29	Clemson vs Kentucky	-3.5	44.5	W 38 - 35	O	N

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Clemson's Schedule

Kentucky's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	Kentucky vs Ball State	-25.0	49.0	W 44 - 14	O	Y
Sat 9/9	Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky	-35.0	62.5	W 28 - 17	U	N
Sat 9/16	Kentucky vs Akron	-25.0	48.5	W 35 - 3	U	Y
Sat 9/23	Kentucky at Vanderbilt	-13.5	50.0	W 45 - 28	O	Y
Sat 9/30	Kentucky vs Florida	-1.0	44.0	W 33 - 14	O	Y
Sat 10/7	Kentucky at Georgia	+14.5	47.0	L 13 - 51	O	N
Sat 10/14	Kentucky vs Missouri	-1.5	50.5	L 21 - 38	O	N
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/28	Kentucky vs Tennessee	+4.0	50.5	L 27 - 33	O	N
Sat 11/4	Kentucky at Mississippi State	-5.5	44.5	W 24 - 3	U	Y
Sat 11/11	Kentucky vs Alabama	+10.0	45.5	L 21 - 49	O	N
Sat 11/18	Kentucky at South Carolina	+2.5	52.5	L 14 - 17	U	N
Sat 11/25	Kentucky at Louisville	+7.5	47.5	W 38 - 31	O	Y
Fri 12/29	Kentucky vs Clemson	+3.5	44.5	L 35 - 38	O	Y

Important Stats (2023)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CLEM	#87 (.16)	45% (38)	29.8	47% (25)	3.22 (47)	174	43% (56)	229	3.62 (90)	#9 (.07)	33% (2)	21.1	35% (10)	32% (2)	4.04 (91)	42.2	1.7	2
UK	#49 (.22)	40% (93)	29.1	41% (88)	2.79 (118)	128	40% (83)	212	4.46 (23)	#50 (.16)	43% (87)	25.8	42% (56)	45% (116)	3.95 (84)	50.8	1.5	1.4

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CLEM	#21 (.27)	47% (24)		50% (12)	3.28 (29)	174	45% (36)	279	4.33 (29)	#52 (.14)	40% (48)		43% (68)	38% (36)	3.64 (48)	47.6	0.7	1.9
UK	#118 (.09)	41% (89)		47% (31)	3.02 (71)	146	35% (123)	185	3.49 (104)	#62 (.16)	46% (111)		49% (122)	42% (75)	3.44 (31)	52.1	1.9	1.3

Overall Stats 2023

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CLEM Offense	13	29.8	18.2	45%	3.62	1.7	23	403	174	229	4.3	49%	51%	47%	43%	16%	.16
UK Defense	13	25.8	24	43.3%	3.95	1.4	-	-	-	-	-	48%	51%	42%	45%	14%	.16

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CLEM Defense	13	21.1	20.2	33%	4.04	2	-	-	-	-	-	46%	54%	35%	32%	22%	.07
UK Offense	13	29.1	29.9	40%	4.46	1.5	17	339	128	212	4.9	43%	55%	41%	40%	18%	.22

Additional Stats 2023

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Clemson	13	33:04	23.1	40%	52%	4.9	42.2	1.7	2	6.5	2.3	4	32.3
Kentucky	13	27:34	16.9	38%	20%	6.1	50.8	1.5	1.4	5.5	2	6	29.3

Run Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CLEM Offense	13	49% (77)	47% (25)	40.2	174.3	4.3	24 (41)	.17 (55)	3.22 (47)	79% (25)	9% (55)	0.91 (106)
UK Defense	13	48% (46)	42% (56)	-	-	-	-	.1 (40)	2.87 (29)	70% (48)	10% (75)	0.87 (18)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CLEM Defense	13	46% (19)	35% (10)	-	-	-	-	.13 (62)	2.9 (33)	83% (117)	13% (10)	1.22 (128)
UK Offense	13	43% (108)	41% (88)	26.1	127.7	4.9	18 (77)	.15 (71)	2.79 (118)	68% (106)	11% (79)	1.12 (17)

Pass Game Stats (2023)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CLEM Offense	13	51% (53)	43% (56)	23.2	36.5	228.6	6.3	9.8	20 (70)	9 (40)	.16 (104)	1.3 (133)	29% (20)	29% (85)	.18 (109)	6% (85)	1.9 (117)
UK Defense	13	51% (92)	45% (116)	-	-	-	-	-	-	11 (53)	.23 (45)	1.4 (11)	31% (76)	30% (70)	.39 (104)	5% (114)	2.1 (75)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CLEM Defense	13	54% (116)	32% (2)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (15)	.05 (3)	1.6 (51)	40% (1)	23% (2)	.13 (4)	9% (1)	1.9 (17)
UK Offense	13	55% (26)	40% (83)	16.2	28.8	211.6	7.4	13	25 (37)	11 (68)	.32 (54)	1.7 (25)	35% (114)	28% (88)	.31 (77)	8% (113)	2.2 (19)

Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 11.99 #15
Clemson's Offense Rating: 14.49 #88
Clemson's Defense Rating: 0.46 #8
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 71% #5
Clemson's 2023 Expected Record: 9.00 - 4.00
Clemson's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.9 #23
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.7 #50
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 17.5 #12

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96

Power Ratings Matchup
Clemson: 11.99 Kentucky: 6.47

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Clemson: 10.9 Kentucky: 9.3

Kentucky's Power Ratings
Kentucky's Power Rating: 6.47 #43
Kentucky's Offense Rating: 17.10 #60
Kentucky's Defense Rating: 10.02 #72
2023 Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 37 #20
Kentucky's 2023 Expected Record: 6.70 - 6.30
Kentucky's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.3 #31
Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.0 #44
Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.8 #33

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 96
Average Power Five Talent: 96
Average FBS Talent: 96

Clemson Scoring
Offense: 29.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 18.2
Defense: 21.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 20.2

Clemson's 2023 Record
Record: 9 - 4
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 5 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0

Projected Score
Clemson 26
Kentucky 21

Total Points: 47

Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 29.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.9
Defense: 25.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 24

Kentucky's 2023 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 7 - 6 - 0
Record at home: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 4 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 2 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Winner	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2023	12/29	Kentucky	35	Clemson	38	Clemson	Clemson -3.5	Kentucky	44.5	Over
2009	12/27	Clemson	21	Kentucky	13	Clemson
2006	12/29	Kentucky	28	Clemson	20	Kentucky

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Kentucky	1	1	1 Overs
Clemson	2	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	2 - 1	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 2	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0

Clemson Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2023	Gator Bowl	Clemson vs Kentucky	-3.5	44.5	W 38 - 35
2022	Orange Bowl	Clemson vs Tennessee	-4.0	62.0	L 14 - 31
2021	It Bowl	Clemson vs Iowa State	-1.5	44.0	W 20 - 13
2020	CFP Semifinal	Clemson vs Ohio State	-7.5	66.5	L 28 - 49
2019	CFP Nat'l Title	Clemson vs LSU	+5.0	67.0	L 25 - 42
2019	CFP Semifinal	Clemson vs Ohio State	-3.0	63.5	W 29 - 23
2018	CFP Nat'l Title	Clemson vs Alabama	+5.5	56.5	W 44 - 16
2018	CFP Semifinal	Clemson vs Notre Dame	-10.5	58.0	W 30 - 3
2017	CFP Semifinal	Clemson vs Alabama	+3.5	46.5	L 6 - 24

Kentucky Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2023	Gator Bowl	Kentucky vs Clemson	+3.5	44.5	L 35 - 38
2022	City Bowl	Kentucky vs Iowa	+3.0	31.5	L 0 - 21
2021	Citrus Bowl	Kentucky vs Iowa	-3.0	43.5	W 20 - 17
2020	Gator Bowl	Kentucky vs NC State	-3.0	50.5	W 23 - 21
2019	N/A	Kentucky vs Virginia Tech	+2.0	47.0	W 37 - 30
2018	Citrus Bowl	Kentucky vs Penn State	+4.5	47.5	W 27 - 24
2017	N/A	Kentucky vs Northwestern	+7.5	50.5	L 23 - 24

(#15) Clemson Info
Power Rating: 11.99 #15
Offense Rating: 14.49 #88
Defense Rating: 0.46 #8
Overall SP+ Rating: 10.9 #23
Offense SP+ Rating: 28.7 #50
Defense SP+ Rating: 17.5 #12
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 71% #5
Expected Record: 9.00 - 4.00

Clemson has played in 9 CFP Playoff Games (4 - 5)
Clemson has played in 9 Bowls in the last 5 years (5 - 4)
Clemson has played in 28 Bowls since 2000 (15 - 13)

Clemson Highlights
Clemson does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#81)

Clemson has a really good defense (#78)
Clemson has a good run defense (#80)
Clemson has a good pass defense (#78)
Clemson Front 7 is disruptive (#85)
Clemson Secondary is very good (#76)
Clemson commits very few Penalties (#16)
Clemson defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#28)

Clemson Deficiencies
Clemson has a really bad Offense Away from Home
Clemson has a bad TO Margin (#107)
Clemson Fumbles a Lot (#89)
Clemson offense is not Explosive (#101)
Clemson Defense Gives up a Lot of Points Away from home
Clemson gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#65)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCat	UK	CLEM
OverallOver	#32	#25
OffenseOff	#59	#81
DefenseDef	#26	#2
Special TeamsST	#49	#25
PassingPass	#51	#71
RushingRush	#12	#48
Run BlockRBLK	#74	#70
Pass BlockPBLK	#53	#64
Route RunningWR Rt	#50	#74
TacklingTkl	#40	#28
Run DefenseR Def	#31	#2
Pass Rush DefPRush	#46	#18
Coverage DefCov	#33	#4

Rematch from Week 1
Clemson 3.5 (44.5)
Clemson won at Kentucky this year (38-35)

Previous Matchups
Clemson beat Kentucky in 2023 (38-35)

Weather Forecast
Playing in EverBank Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: CLEM | UK
Depth Chart: CLEM | UK
Rosters: CLEM | UK

(#43) Kentucky Info
Power Rating: 6.47 #43
Offense Rating: 17.10 #60
Defense Rating: 10.02 #72
Overall SP+ Rating: 9.3 #31
Offense SP+ Rating: 30.0 #44
Defense SP+ Rating: 21.8 #33
Talent Rating: 96.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 37 #20
Expected Record: 6.70 - 6.30

Kentucky has played in 6 Bowls in the last 5 years (4 - 2)
Kentucky has played in 13 Bowls since 2000 (7 - 6)

Kentucky Highlights
Kentucky offense is explosive (#92)
Kentucky offense is good in red zone (#60)
Kentucky defense does not give up big plays (#89)
Kentucky Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#46)
Kentucky Defensive Line is very good (#45)

Kentucky Deficiencies
Kentucky Runs Get Stuffed a Lot (#28)

Clemson's OC Garrett Riley

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Cade Klubnik	290	454	64%	2844	19	9	6.3
Hunter Helms	9	12	75%	83	0	0	6.9

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Phil Mafah	179	965	13	5.4	49
Will Shipley	167	827	5	5.0	33
Cade Klubnik	125	182	4	1.5	22
Domonique Thomas	18	116	1	6.4	19

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Tyler Brown	52	531	4	10.2	47
Beaux Collins	38	510	3	13.4	69
Jake Briningstool	50	498	5	10.0	50
Troy Stellato	39	337	1	8.6	18

View Clemson's Full Roster

Clemson's DC Wes Goodwin

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.	79	13	6	8	5
Barrett Carter	56	8	3	4	5
R.J. Mickens	39	4	0	0	3
Khalil Barnes	38	5	1	1	6

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.	79	13	6	8	5
T.J. Parker	32	13	6	5	1
Ruke Orhorhoro	23	8	5	3	1
Wade Woodaz	26	6	4	2	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Shelton Lewis	10	0	0	0	7
Khalil Barnes	38	5	1	1	6
Andrew Mukuba	35	2	0	0	6

Kentucky's OC Liam Coen

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Devin Leary (Tr)	209	371	56%	2746	25	12	7.4
Kaiya Sheron	2	4	50%	5	0	0	1.3

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Re'Mahn Davis	199	1129	14	5.7	75
Ramon Jefferson	28	184	0	6.6	74
Barion Brown	12	147	1	12.3	26
Demie Sumo	20	139	1	7.0	42

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Dane Key	42	636	6	15.1	58
Tayvion Robinson	41	552	4	13.5	56
Barion Brown	43	539	4	12.5	60
Re'Mahn Davis	33	323	7	9.8	58

View Kentucky's Full Roster

Kentucky's DC Brad White

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
D'Eryk Jackson	89	8	2	2	4
Trevin Wallace	80	9	6	3	0
Maxwell Hairston	66	2	0	0	6
Zion Childress	58	2	1	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Deone Walker	55	13	8	8	2
J.J. Weaver	44	8	6	2	2
Trevin Wallace	80	9	6	3	0
Octavious Oxendine	19	4	3	2	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Maxwell Hairston	66	2	0	0	6
Andru Phillips	48	2	0	0	5
D'Eryk Jackson	89	8	2	2	4