JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Kentucky (7-5) will look to cap off another winning season with a bowl win when it faces Clemson (8-4) in the Gator Bowl. Kickoff is set for noon Dec. 29.

What You Need To Know

  • Kentucky and Clemson face off in the Gator Bowl Dec. 29, with a noon kickoff

  • The Wildcats are playing in their eighth consecutive bowl game, a school record

  • The Clemson Tigers are coming off one of their worst seasons since 2010

  • Kentucky holds an 8-5 advantage in the series, but Clemson is favored by 4 1/2

The Wildcats are coming off a stunning 38-31 upset of instate archrival Louisville (10-4). Kentucky started its season with a hot 5-0 start before heading into a grueling conference schedule, dropping five of its last seven games. Kentucky is playing in its eighth consecutive bowl game, a school record, and making its third appearance in the Gator Bowl.

The Clemson Tigers are coming off one of their worst seasons since 2010. They hope to end the disappointing season on a five-game win streak with a victory over the 'Cats. The Tigers have won a postseason game (conference championship, bowl or playoff game) in each of the last 12 years — the longest streak in major college football history.

One key matchup of the game will be Kentucky’s explosive running back, Ray Davis, against the stout front seven of Clemson, which will be without two of its top defenders. Davis, who totaled 1,383 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, opted to play in the Gator Bowl after announcing his decision to enter the NFL draft. The Tigers' defense will be without star linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (88 tackles) and standout corner Nate Wiggins (nine pass breakups).

Other players to watch in the game will be Kentucky QB Devin Leary and Clemson’s dynamic duo backfield of Phil Mafah and Will Shipley. Leary is playing in his first bowl game, despite being in his sixth college football season and traveling to two previous Gator Bowls. He spent the last five years at North Carolina State, where he missed one bowl game while redshirting and two because of injuries. Another one got canceled. Mafah and Shipley account for 1,692 total yards and 16 touchdowns this season for the Tigers.

Kentucky holds an 8-5 advantage in the series, but the Tigers won 21-13 when the teams faced each other in the 2009 Music City Bowl. Clemson is favored by 4 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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