Clemson at Kentucky Week 1 College Football Matchup Clemson at Kentucky Matchup - Week 1
Fri, Dec 29 2023 · Postseason · Neutral Site · 🏟 EverBank Field Jacksonville, FL · Turf · 67,246 cap
Clemson✈ 309 miSame TZ Kentucky✈ 556 miSame TZ
Away (Neutral)
38 35
Final
Home (Neutral)
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
Clemson
27
Kentucky
22
P&R Line Clemson -5
P&R Total O/U 48.5
Confidence 86 High
Vegas Clemson -3.5 · O/U 44.5
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors Kentucky, while Game Control favors Clemson. Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
58.4%
Kentucky wins
Lean
Game Control
64.9%
Clemson wins
Lean
Vegas Spread
Clemson -3.5
O/U 44.5
Bovada
Advanced Stats
PPA + Success Rate agree → Clemson · 73.9% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
🚌 Clemson 2nd straight Road Game
Clemson 2023 Schedule
Clemson's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Mon 9/4Clemson at Duke-12.5L7–2854.0L7–28UN
Sat 9/9Clemson vs Charleston Southern-50.5W66–1753.0W66–17ON
Sat 9/16Clemson vs Florida Atlantic-25.0W48–1451.5W48–14OY
Sat 9/23Clemson vs Florida State+2.0L24–3155.5L24–31UN
Sat 9/30Clemson at Syracuse-7.0W31–1452.0W31–14UY
Sat 10/7Clemson vs Wake Forest-21.0W17–1253.5W17–12UN
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/21Clemson at Miami-3.0L20–2848.5L20–28UN
Sat 10/28Clemson at NC State-9.5L17–2444.5L17–24UN
Sat 11/4Clemson vs Notre Dame+3.0W31–2344.5W31–23OY
Sat 11/11Clemson vs Georgia Tech-17.5W42–2155.5W42–21OY
Sat 11/18Clemson vs North Carolina-7.5W31–2058.0W31–20UY
Sat 11/25Clemson at South Carolina-7.5W16–748.0W16–7UY
Fri 12/29Clemson vs Kentucky-3.5W38–3544.5W38–35ON
Kentucky 2023 Schedule
Kentucky's 2023 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/2Kentucky vs Ball State-25.0W44–1449.0W44–14OY
Sat 9/9Kentucky vs Eastern Kentucky-35.0W28–1762.5W28–17UN
Sat 9/16Kentucky vs Akron-25.0W35–348.5W35–3UY
Sat 9/23Kentucky at Vanderbilt-13.5W45–2850.0W45–28OY
Sat 9/30Kentucky vs Florida-1.0W33–1444.0W33–14OY
Sat 10/7Kentucky at Georgia+14.5L13–5147.0L13–51ON
Sat 10/14Kentucky vs Missouri-1.5L21–3850.5L21–38ON
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/28Kentucky vs Tennessee+4.0L27–3350.5L27–33ON
Sat 11/4Kentucky at Mississippi State-5.5W24–344.5W24–3UY
Sat 11/11Kentucky vs Alabama+10.0L21–4945.5L21–49ON
Sat 11/18Kentucky at South Carolina+2.5L14–1752.5L14–17UN
Sat 11/25Kentucky at Louisville+7.5W38–3147.5W38–31OY
Fri 12/29Kentucky vs Clemson+3.5L35–3844.5L35–38OY
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2023 season
Clemson PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ Clemson
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
Clemson #87
+0.313
Kentucky #49
+0.294
Clemson Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
Clemson #104
+0.395
Kentucky #54
+0.373
Clemson Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
Clemson #3
0.223
Kentucky #111
0.144
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Clemson Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
Clemson #90
+7.571
Kentucky #23
+8.498
Kentucky Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
Clemson #38
+0.883
Kentucky #93
+0.729
Clemson Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
Clemson #12
67.7
Kentucky #72
70.7
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Clemson Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2023 season · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
Clemson Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
Clemson
8.2
Kentucky
0.2
Offense Rating
Clemson
18.0
Kentucky
16.3
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
Clemson
9.8
Kentucky
16.1
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Kentucky Edge
Avg sequences created per game
Clemson #53
0.73
Kentucky #80
0.91
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
Clemson #2
0.27
Kentucky #113
1.46
Kentucky +0.18
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 11 games this season
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Clemson Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
Clemson #1
59.8
Kentucky #1
48.7
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
Clemson #17
20.9
Kentucky #62
38.8
Clemson +11.1
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 64.9% of games historically
Based on 12 games this season
Spread Context
ATS Historical Context
Based on 2021–2025 backtest · FBS vs FBS · Regular season

CSS and GC disagree on this matchup. When the metrics split, historical cover rates are essentially random — treat this as a coin flip against the spread.

ATS data is informational only. Past cover rates do not guarantee future results.

Coaching Matchup
Clemson
Dabo Swinney #1
163–40 (80%) · Yr 15 at school
OC Garrett Riley Yr 1 #1
DC Mickey Conn Yr 2 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
Kentucky
Mark Stoops #1
69–59 (54%) · Yr 11 at school
OC Liam Coen Yr 2 #1
DC Brad White Yr 3 #1
Staff Rating
0.00 #1
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself