by Ken Howlett – www.aseaofblue.com
In preparation for the Bowl game coverage on this site, I asked Ken Howlett from A Sea of Blue for some input on the game and he gave me so much great stuff, I was able to break it up over a couple of days. Here is more from Ken:
Kentucky versus Clemson: Tiger Personnel and What to Expect
Clemson, the Atlantic Division ACC champion is coming off a 39-34 loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship game. A game in which newly minted First Team All-America all-purpose player C.J. Spiller rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns on 22 carries (10.6 yards per carry). If that’s not enough to give UK defensive coordinator Steve Brown Tiger-on-the-loose nightmares, then maybe this will — On the year, Spiller accounted for 2,508 all-purpose yards, and scored 20 touchdowns via five different avenues: 11 rushing; four receiving; four kick-off returns; one punt return; and one passing. The dynamic performer returned 21 kick-offs for 708 yards (33.7 yards per return), and eight punts for 210 yards, for an other-worldly 26.3 ypr. Spiller also scored nine touchdowns of 50 yards or longer, an ACC record.
Spiller, Clemson’s first offensive Associated Press All-America since 1991, compiled career statistics that would make even Barry Sanders blush — 7,416 all-purpose yards (3rd best in NCAA history), and 50 touchdowns; 21 TD’s longer than 50 yards.
Can you say “BIG play potential?” I hope so, because that’s what Kentucky’s defense must stop in order to optimize their chances of winning four straight bowl games.
The talented Spiller isn’t alone in the Tiger offensive attack. Quarterback Kyle Parker, while inconsistent (he’s tossed two INT’s in four different games), has passed for 2,385 yards and 19 touchdowns (12 interceptions). Wide receiver Jacoby Ford has been Parker’s top target, catching a team-high 53 passes, good for 735 yards (13.9 yards per reception). Clemson head man Dabo Swinney’s offensive attack also utilizes tight end Michael Palmer — 41 receptions for 468 yards, and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Clemson boasts Third Team All-America safety DeAndre McDaniel and his eight interceptions. Fellow Tiger safety Rashad Hall has intercepted six passes, and linebacker Brandon May has forced five fumbles, helping the Tigers maintain a + 5 in the turnover margin department.
Typical of a Clemson season, the Tigers have a couple of very impressive wins — 40-37 over Miami, Fla. in overtime, and a 40-24 win over Florida State — But they’ve also lost a few head-scratchers — To Maryland, 24-21, and South Carolina, 34-17. Which Clemson team will show up December 27th is anybodies guess, but UK must be prepared to face a team that runs the ball very well (Clemson averages 4.8 yards per carry as a team), and will pressure the quarterback (34 sacks). A stat to take note of — In Clemson’s eight wins, the Tigers have given up an average of 16.5 points per game, coversely, in their five losses, they have given up 28.2 points per game, which is the vicinity UK needs to be in, in order to come out victorious.
It’s certainly no secret this late in the season that Kentucky must counter Clemson’s defensive tenacity with a strong outing by a now healthy Randall Cobb (shoulder), and Derrick Locke (knees). I expect to see the “Wildcat” package (effectively) utilized much like it was in the ‘Cats’ loss to Tennessee … which is often, especially inside the red zone. Hopefully, the month the ‘Cats have had to prepare will have paid off for freshman quarterback Morgan Newton. Newton looked shaky and unsure while utilizing the pass in UK’s last game against the Vols, something he cannot afford to be if UK harbors any hopes of pulling off the upset. There also exists the possibility that Mike Hartline could make an appearance in Nashville, which could offer a nice change-of-pace for the Tigers to contend with.
Having a healthy Trevard Lindley will help the UK defensive cause, but with UK’s Sam Maxwell, the ‘Cats’ most effective defender, sidelined with a torn labrum, back-up linebackers Ronnie Sneed, Mikhail Mabry, and possibly freshmen Ridge Wilson, must become the ball-hawking presence Maxwell was all season.
For a team that gave up an average of 183.2 yards per game on the ground, the ‘Cats defensive focus should be on stopping Spiller from having a career-day. With ‘Bama’s Mark Ingram, UT’s Montario Hardesty, Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon, as well as the entire Florida Gator rushing corp gashing Kentucky for huge ground gains this season, Clemson’s best chance at winning their 33rd bowl game appearance surely rests with the crazy legs of C.J. Spiller. So, on most downs, look for Rich Brooks to “stack the box” with at least eight ‘Cats, daring the Tigers to beat UK with their lukewarm passing game.
It says here, UK will hold Spiller to under 150 yards rushing, and without a special team’s touchdown, which will enable the ‘Cats to pull out a 28-24 victory for the team’s fourth straight bowl victory.
Thanks for reading, and Go ‘Cats, beat the Tigers!
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