Music City Bowl Preview

Both Kentucky and Clemson had higher aspirations of playing in a bigger bowl, however previous game losses have them matched up for second time in four years. The 2009 version of Clemson (8-5, 7-5 ATS) lost in the ACC title game and carries the disappointment of yet another season without a BCS bowl berth.

Tigers’ fans have voiced their thoughts on another trip to Nashville, selling just 4,000 tickets, after being 90 seconds away from traveling to Orange Bowl. Coach Dabo Swinney’s infectious enthusiasm will be put to the test and will call on senior leaders like C.J. Spiller to leave the Clemson campus as winners. Clemson is 3-11 ATS off a spread loss like they suffered vs. Georgia Tech.

Kentucky is 7-5 (6-5 ATS) with two sizeable long time in coming wins to its credit, against Auburn (1961) and Georgia (1977). Nonetheless, a season ending loss to Tennessee has the Wildcats in this game for the third time in last four years, missing out on chance to likely playing on New Year’s Day in the more prestigious Outback Bowl. The Wildcats are 18-33 ATS off a home loss.

Clemson has the special talents of Spiller and Kentucky has their Mr. Versatility in Randall Cobb. The sophomore runs out of the “WildCobb”, has caught 37 passes, returned a punt for six, all part of his 15 scores. A midseason injury to quarterback Mike Hartline was thought to have derailed the Wildcats bowl chances, however he’s listed as probable for Sunday night and Kentucky is 9-3 ATS in last dozen non-conference clashes.

This is Kentucky’s fourth trip in five bowl appearances to Nashville and the Wildcats have won three consecutive bowls, raising record to 8-5 and 5-3-1 ATS. Kentucky is 2-4 and 3-3 ATS against other bowl teams. Clemson is just the opposite of their opponent, with three straight bowl failures, which started against this very opponent in 2006. The Tigers are 15-16 and 10-13-1 ATS playing as bowler and have lost three in a row against the number.

DiamondSportsbook.com has the Tigers as 6.5-point favorites, with total of 53. Clemson is 1-6 ATS as bowl favorites of late which matches this bowl’s history, with the underdog 8-2-1 ATS. The Tigers are 5-0 UNDER in most recent bowl conflicts. The dog has covered six of last eight Kentucky postseason encounters and these ‘Cats are 16-5 OVER when facing a winning team.

3DW Line – Clemson by 6