December 27, 2009 | 8:30 PM EST, Nashville, TN on ESPN
Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl
Kentucky Wildcats (7-5) vs. Clemson Tigers (8-5)
Opening Line: Clemson -7 (current -6.5)
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Game Preview: It seems like Kentucky is always in this bowl while I am sure that Clemson sees this as a disappointment. For the Wildcats the highlight of their season was knocking out Tim Tebow while Clemson can choose from anyone of a slew of CJ Spiller highlights. This is his last game in college and hopefully he is not looking ahead to the combines already. This game is a mismatch talent wise on both sides of the ball. Clemson is a bipolar team but if they take their meds they should win this one easily.
Kentucky Preview: Even though they play in the rough and tumble SEC the Wildcats have proven they can run the ball, ranking 21st in the nation at just under 200ypg. They are also ranked highly in pass defense but that is mostly because their run defense is so atrocious. Kentucky beat some name schools this year but whether they are actually any good is up for debate as both Auburn and Georgia didn’t exactly have banner seasons. From this distance it doesn’t look like they have much of a chance against the Tigers but they are an SEC team so they are accustomed to top competition.
Clemson Preview: Sometimes the Tigers can look like one of the top teams in America. They only lost to TCU by 4 but then followed that up with brutal loss against Maryland. CJ Spiller is probably the most dynamic player in the country and it is only a matter of time until he excites the crowd in Nashville while making his swan song. Despite Spiller’s presence the Tigers offense is pretty balanced and WR Jacoby Ford has enough speed to keep up with Spiller in a race. Freshman QB Willy Parker is getting better all the time and the extra practice time should really help him in this game and next year. And I haven’t even mentioned the defense…it is fast and hard hitting and gives up only 21 points a game. They should not have too much trouble stopping the Wildcats
Game Prediction: One of the few major talent mismatches in the bowls. Granted Clemson loves to play a clunker now and again but the Wildcats are not explosive to make them pay for their inevitable mistakes. The Tigers should win in a romp.
Score Prediction:
Pick: The lower the spread drops the better this one looks. Clemson should have this one put away by half time. When they start to rest Spiller it is time to change the channel.
- Kentucky is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
- Clemson is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Clemson’s last 5 games
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