By Jeff Zell
Inspin.com/WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
Who: Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7-5)
Where: Nashville
When: Friday, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
WagerWeb.com line: Clemson -11 (58.5)
Matchup: Clemson and Kentucky have a different frame of mind entering this bowl game. Clemson is disappointed in a slow finish to slip into this game, and the Wildcats are happy about their first bowl since 1999. Offensively, the two are polar opposites, with the Tigers relying on the run while Kentucky is a pass-heavy team.
Why Clemson Wins: Clemson must have a short memory and forget it lost three of its final four to slip into the Music City Bowl. Running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller have the ability to have a monster game vs. an extremely weak run defense. The pass defense is the fourth-most efficient in the nation, but the Tigers will be without CB Duane Coleman, who was arrested on a marijuana charge. Despite senior QB Will Proctor, Tommy Bowden has a lot of key young talent and would like to garner momentum heading into next year.
Why Kentucky Wins: The Wildcats' signature win was the 24-20 victory over Georgia at home. QB Andre' Woodson led the SEC in passing, throwing for 258 yards per game. Woodsonʼs favorite target, Keenan Burton, has caught 72 balls for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns. Woodsonʼs No. 2 target, Dicky Lyons Jr., has had a knack for the end zone as well with eight touchdowns this year. Kentucky must do something it hasn't done all year: stop the run. While in the final game of the regular season the Wildcats held Tennessee to 96 rushing yards, the game before that they gave up 353 yards on the ground to Louisiana Monroe.
Prediction: Clemson 35-31
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