Time: 6 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: Clemson by 7.
Series: Kentucky leads 8-4.
Last meeting: 2006 Music City Bowl, Kentucky 28, Clemson 20.
What’s at stake: Kentucky is playing in a fourth consecutive bowl for the first time in school history, trying to extend its postseason winning streak to four. This is the Wildcats’ third trip in four years to this bowl and fourth consecutive bowl in the state of Tennessee. Clemson has lost two straight after a six-game winning streak, and the Tigers went from playing for a Bowl Championship Series bowl berth to the Music City Bowl.
Key matchup: Clemson defense against Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb in what Kentucky likes to call the “wildcobb” offense. Kentucky ranks 21st in the nation running the ball, while Clemson is 69th defending the run, putting pressure on the Tigers’ top tackler Brandon Maye.
Clemson’s last bowl: Gator Bowl, Jan. 1, 2009, 26-21 loss vs. Nebraska.
Kentucky’s last bowl: Liberty Bowl, Jan. 2, 2009, 25-19 win vs. East Carolina.
The Associated Press
