Gator Bowl predictions: Can Kentucky end season with a win over Clemson football?

It’s almost football time in the Bluegrass! Here are some final thoughts and predictions about how Kentucky’s matchup with No. 22 Clemson in the Gator Bowl might play out on Friday.

Building the brand

If there was any doubt the cascading effect that began with undefeated Florida State being left out of the playoff and resulted in Kentucky jumping from the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to the Gator Bowl to face Clemson added some juice to bowl season for the Wildcats, it became clear when each of the Kentucky underclassmen who have declared for the NFL draft (Ray Davis, Trevin Wallace and Andru Phillips) elected to play in the game.

“We were pretty happy about it because growing up for a long time it was Bama and Clemson, Bama and Clemson,” freshman safety Ty Bryant said. “Being able to play a powerhouse school like that, powerhouse team, it’s exciting. Being able to say we beat them at the end of the day, that’s going to be really fun.”

While Clemson has failed to live up to its recent lofty standards of success this season, the Tigers are ranked entering the Gator Bowl and provide another opportunity for the type of marquee victory Kentucky’s resume lacked before its upset of Louisville in the regular season finale.

A win over Dabo Swinney’s Tigers would continue the recent string of positive news for UK that began with the Louisville win and has since included the return of Mark Stoops to Lexington, the Gator Bowl bid and multiple high-profile transfer additions.

“I think when you face somebody that’s got a little bit of cache like a Clemson, there’s a focus and understanding that there’s a lot of pride in that program,” defensive coordinator Brad White said. “You better show up and play a really strong game or you’ll get embarrassed. It’s been spirited practices. Really like their enthusiasm. Never once so far have you felt like they’re waiting to get out, they’re waiting for Christmas, they can’t wait for it to get done.”

Leaning on the veterans

Much of bowl practice is devoted to finding extra opportunities for younger players at the end of a grueling season. Losses to the transfer portal and NFL draft opt-outs have only increased the spotlight on those players in recent years, but with most of Kentucky’s key contributors playing in the Gator Bowl there does not appear to be many added snaps available for redshirting freshmen.

“You’re excited to see (wide receiver) Shamar Porter maybe get some reps,” offensive coordinator Liam Coen said. “Maybe (running back) Jamarion Wilcox get some reps, but we’re also trying to go play a very high level opponent, and we need this win to go into the offseason on the right note.

“So, it’s been great to see them practice and get more reps. Whether or not, how much that transitions to the game, right now I can’t say that. But we are excited about their development, about the work they put in this offseason.”

Wilcox’s chance of recording his first carries of the season took a hit when running back Ray Davis elected to play in the game after declaring for the draft. UK coach Mark Stoops has also been open about his desire to find carries for backup Ramon Jefferson as a possible showcase for NFL scouts.

The chance for Porter, who briefly entered the transfer portal before deciding to return to UK, to play in the Gator Bowl were increased by the departure of backup wide receiver Dekel Crowdus to the transfer portal, but UK’s offense has struggled to run enough plays all season to get the backup wide receivers opportunities. Tight end Khamari Anderson could have an opportunity for a larger role after the transfer of Izayah Cummings and injuries to multiple tight ends late in the regular season.

On defense, lineman Tavion Gadson is a player to watch after appearing in three of the final four regular season games.

“He’s definitely been coming along all season,” defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine said of Gadson. “Just everything with his technique, hands. Just the pace of the game is really slowing down for him. You can really see it when he’s out there on the practice field. He’ll definitely excite some people.”

Kentucky football injury report and Gator Bowl opt-outs

Injury updates have been sparse for Kentucky since the end of the regular season, but the Wildcats appear to be down two offensive linemen in the Gator Bowl as right tackle Jeremy Flax and left guard Kenneth Horsey were not listed on the pre-bowl depth chart. Horsey has missed much of the season due to injury, but Flax started 11 of 12 regular season games. UK has not announced a reason for their absences from the depth chart.

Tight ends Josh Kattus and Jordan Dingle were listed on the depth chart despite missing the Louisville game due to injury. Their status will be worth watching in pregame warm-ups. Fans should also expect at least a couple of surprise absences as in most seasons there is at least one player who is unavailable in the bowl after undergoing surgery following the regular season to address some nagging injury.

PREGAME UPDATE: Dingle and Kattus are both dressed out and available for the game.

Predictions

Kentucky 24, Clemson 21

The fact that Clemson ranks fifth in the 247Sports Composite team talent rankings (a measure of how many former blue-chip recruits are on the team), shows there is probably a talent gap between the two teams in the Gator Bowl despite their similar records, but bowl games are about who wants it more. The fact that Kentucky’s early draft entrants are playing in the game while Clemson’s are not suggests the motivation might be higher in UK’s locker room. That motivation won’t be enough alone though. Kentucky needs a big game from its passing attack against a short-handed Clemson defense.

MVP: Devin Leary

The 2023 season has not gone according to plan for Leary and Kentucky after his much-hyped transfer from N.C. State, but he has still shown the potential to carry the offense at times. With Clemson losing multiple starters in its defensive secondary, there should be an opportunity for Leary and his receivers to make big plays. In his sixth college season, Leary finally has the chance to play in a bowl game. The guess here is he closes his UK career on a high note.

The last word

Tight end Brenden Bates on most of Kentucky’s key players deciding to play in the bowl:

“Everyone is just really eager to play. I think what it does to the locker room is it just brings obviously everyone together and creates more of a juice and more of a will to win. I think this is the most I’ve been excited for, for this bowl game. And I think everyone else has been too.”

This story was originally published December 28, 2023 at 10:08 AM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

(859) 414-6776

Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription