Pat Forde made picks in all 42 college football bowl games and ranked them by watchability in his latest edition of Forde-Yard Dash.
Forde predicts Clemson to beat Kentucky 27-21 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. He also ranked the Gator Bowl 13th out of 42 in terms of watchability.
Here is an excerpt:
GATOR BOWL (30)
Matchup: Clemson (8-4) vs. Kentucky (7–5)
When: Dec. 29, 12 p.m.
Where: Jacksonville
Line: Clemson by 5.5
Watchability ranking: 13th out of 42. Disappointing seasons for both, but still a solid matchup to start an excellent four-bowl Friday. This is the fourth bowl matchup of the two programs, and the previous three all were one-score games (Clemson won two, Kentucky one). It’s also the 30th anniversary of star Wildcats linebacker Marty Moore fumbling away the game-sealing interception when he tried to run it back, resulting in Clemson getting another chance and winning at the end.
Mascot fight: Humans in costumes. Nobody wins.
Dash pick: Clemson 27, Kentucky 21. The status of the Clemson defense is unknown, with multiple opt-outs and potential additional opt-outs. But it’s hard to go against the Tigers’ mojo: since Tyler from Spartanburg called in to rip Dabo Swinney on his radio show, Clemson is undefeated in football, undefeated in men’s basketball and won the men’s soccer national championship. Tyler awakened a sleeping giant.
