Clemson Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction, 12/29/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Clemson Tigers vs Kentucky Wildcats

Date: Friday, December 29, 2023

Location: EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, FL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (+7)

Total/Over-Under: 47.5

The Clemson Tigers (8-4) are hitting the road to EverBank Stadium on Friday, December 29, 2023 where they will take on the Kentucky Wildcats (7-5) in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Clemson opens this matchup as 7-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The betting total comes in at 47.5.

The Clemson Tigers head into this game 8-4 for this season. In their last matchup, the Tigers faced the South Carolina Gamecocks and went home with a win by a final score of 16-7. Cade Klubnik connected on 15/27 with 100 yds passing. He had a quarterback rate of 79.3 and ended the contest with 1 interception. Phil Mafah led the offense in rushing for the Tigers with 19 carries for 89 yards (4.7 yds per carry). The Clemson Tigers ran the ball 46 times and accounted for 219 yds, which came out to an average of 4.8 yds per attempt. At the end of the game, they ran 73 plays which gave them a total of 319 yds. Clemson surrendered 16 completions on 32 tries for a total of 112 yds, and a completion percentage of 50.0%. Against the run, the Tigers conceded 57 yards on 24 attempts, which averages out to 2.4 yards per run surrendered.

The Tigers have earned 4,868 total yards over the course of this season. With reference to getting the ball in the endzone, Clemson has compiled 20 touchdowns through the air and 20 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 22 different times. Clemson has recorded 280 1st downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 58 penalties for 518 yds. As a team they're maintaining an average of 180.3 yards on the ground which has them sitting 39th in D-1. When it comes to putting points on the board, the Clemson Tigers are averaging 29.2 points per contest.

In terms of yards via the pass, the Tigers have given up 1,946 yards which has them ranked 4th in Division 1. They have conceded 162.2 yards per outing through the air and allowed a completion percentage of 52.4%. During this campaign, they are granting 278.7 yards/outing ranking them 7th in D-1. They have yielded 11 touchdowns through the air as well as 16 touchdowns running the ball. The opposition is running for 3.7 yards per attempt on the ground and 116.5 rushing yards per contest on the season. For the season, they have allowed 1,398 rushing yards through 12 games. The Tigers are sitting in 24th in Division 1 when it comes to the opposition scoring, conceding 19.9 PPG.

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The Wildcats head into this game 7-5 this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Wildcats got the win with a final of 38-31 when they played the Louisville Cardinals. Devin Leary (3 TDs) walked away from the contest with 206 yards on 12/22 through the air while his QB rating was 169.1. He tossed 1 pick and his average yards per pass attempt was 9.4. Re'Mahn Davis ran the ball 14 times for 76 yds, finishing the game with 5.4 yards per carry for Kentucky. The Wildcats ended up finishing with 289 yds and they ran 47 plays (6.1 yards per play). Kentucky ran for 3.3 yards per tote, totaling 83 yards on 25 attempts. Kentucky gave up 43 run attempts for 161 yards (3.7 yds per carry). The Wildcats secondary gave up a completion rate of 72.7%, surrendering 242 yds on 24 out of 33 through the air.

The Kentucky Wildcats hold an average of 334.6 yards per outing, which ranks them 100th in college football. The Kentucky offense has compiled 616 penalty yards on 76 infractions, which is good for 49th in college football in terms of giving up free yards. They have an average of 130.8 yards via the ground game and have rushed for 1,570 yards for the season. They have thrown 10 interceptions while conceding 6 fumbles and they have been able to earn 209 1st downs. In terms of the points being put on the board, the Wildcats are sitting 58th in the country holding an average of 28.6 PPG. For the season thus far, the Wildcats have thrown for 2,446 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 203.8 passing yards per game, ranking them 95th in D-1.

Kentucky has given up a total of 1,367 yards on the ground (113.9 yards per contest) in addition to 16 touchdowns via the rush for the season. They have given up 20 touchdowns through the air as well as 238.5 yards per outing, which has them ranked 87th in the nation. Their defense has compiled 7 fumbles recovered and 10 interceptions this year. The Wildcats defense has taken part in 800 plays, which ranks 58th in the country. The Wildcats are conceding 24.8 points per game, which puts them 60th in college football. In total, they have surrendered 298 total points.

Who will win tonight's Tigers/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Wildcats +7

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