The 2023 Gator Bowl takes place at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. We have the matchup between the 8-4 Clemson Tigers and the 7-5 Kentucky Wildcats. Clemson comes into this one winning four straight games. The Tigers have appeared in 49 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 26-23 record in those games. Kentucky comes into this one losing five out of their last seven games. The Wildcats have appeared in 22 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 12-10 record in those games. Clemson is a 4.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 44.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Gator Bowl.
Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers didn’t have a bad season. However, after winning two national championships and being in the college football playoff for five straight seasons, this 2023 campaign is looked as a disappointment for Tigers fans. Offensively, the Tigers average 29.2 points per game to go along with 418.9 total yards of offense. Clemson’s rushing attack has been the key to their offense’s success in 2023. It is behind the duo of Phil Mafah (894 rushing yards 5.3 yards per carry 9 touchdowns) and Will Shipley (798 rushing yards 5.1 yards per carry and 5 touchdowns). These two are essential to Clemson’s offense. If these two can play well against a good rush defense, then Clemson’s offense should have no problem in this bowl matchup.
Defensively, the Tigers are as good as they have been in year’s past. They allow 19.9 points per game and give up 294.2 total yards of offense per game (17th in the nation). Clemson will be without four or five defensive starters including stud linebacker Jermiah Trotter Jr. Lucky for the Tigers, Dabo always gets his defense ready for a game like this. Clemson gave up more than 30 points once all season long. They lost that game to Florida State way back in September. Clemson’s defense has been great since that Florida State loss. Since that Florida State loss, they allow 18.6 points per game while also giving up 287.2 total yards of offense. This Clemson defense has what it takes to hold Kentucky to under 300 total yards of offense and under 20 points on the scoreboard in the Gator Bowl showdown.
Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats were up and down in 2023. Offensively, they average 28.6 points per game to go along with 346.6 total yards of offense. This offense was led by quarterback Devin Leary who threw for 2,440 passing yards to go along with 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. As good as Leary was, if it wasn’t for their big time playmaker in running back Ray Davis, this offense wouldn’t have been the same in 2023. Ray Davis rushed for 1,066 rushing yards on 5.7 yards per carry while adding 317 receiving yards and 20 total touchdowns. Davis is entering the NFL Draft, but will play in this bowl game which is essential for Kentucky. If he wasn’t playing, this Wildcats offense would struggle to move the ball against Clemson’s good defense.
Defensively, the Wildcats were not as good as they were in year’s past but they were still solid. They allow 24.8 points per game to go along with giving up 369.8 total yards of offense per game. Kentucky is only losing one defensive starter in EDGE rusher Keaten Wade who entered the transfer portal and is going to Colorado. The Wildcats gave up 30+ points in five games in 2023. They have a 1-4 in those five games and all five of those games happened from the beginning of October to late November. Look for the Wildcats defense to show why they have been good for years.
Betting Trends
-Clemson is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
-The under is 6-3 in Clemson’s last 9 games.
-Kentucky is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.
-The over is 7-2 in Kentucky’s last 9 games.
The Don’s Best Bet
I have one play in this Gator Bowl showdown. The official play is Clemson -4.5 -110 odds for one unit. Clemson will get the party started early offensively. The Tigers won’t look back as I don’t think they are going to destroy Kentucky by any means. However, I think that they can get a lead early and keep it without failure. Ride the Tigers to win and stay within the number here.
