December 30, 2022, 8:00 PM EST | Hard Rock Stadium
Game Preview
Tennessee
Volunteers
10 - 2
Clemson
Tigers
11 - 2
December 30, 2022, 8:00 PM EST | Hard Rock Stadium
The No. 10 Clemson Tigers (11-2 SU, 7-6 ATS) missed the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year. The Tigers settle instead for a New Year’s Six invitation to the Orange Bowl, going head-to-head with the No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2, 9-3). Both teams will take the field without the starting quarterback that led them all season while looking for one final victory on December 30 in Florida.
Clemson opened as a 3-point favorite in the Orange Bowl before doubling to 6.5-point favorites over the last week, courtesy of transfer portal and injury reports. The total has barely budged, moving down to 64 points after Sportsbook at 64.5 points. The OVER is 6-1 in Tennessee’s last seven matchups against an ACC opponent. The Vols aren’t strangers to high totals, going 7-5 on the OVER/UNDER with all but one contest being set at a total above 60 points.
Momentum is on the Tigers’ side after they defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 39-10 to become the ACC champions. They’re gearing up for their 18th straight bowl appearance and looking to improve their 26-22 record overall in bowl games.
Dabo Swinney’s team will need to do it without DJ Uiagalelei, the junior quarterback who entered the transfer portal after watching from the sidelines for most of the ACC title game. In his final starting performance, the California native went a dismal 8-for-29 for only 99 passing yards with one touchdown pass and one interception in a 31-30 upset loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks that ended the Tigers’ hopes for a CFP berth.
Now, freshman Cade Klubnik is sitting in the driver’s seat. In his first start against the Tar Heels, Klubnik completed 20 of 24 passes for a sparkling 83 percent completion rate, compiling 279 passing yards and a touchdown. With a starting position up for grabs, he’ll be looking to impress in the Orange Bowl.
Latest Betting Notes: Tennessee
The Volunteers, who posted their best record since 2007, are also without QB Hendon Hooker, who was a Heisman Trophy favorite for a period this year. The senior, who has the second-best QBR in the country at 89.4, is done for the season after suffering an ACL tear a few weeks ago. Fellow senior Joe Milton is expected to continue filling in for Hooker.
Sportsbook
In his latest performance, Milton connected on 11 of 21 passes for 147 yards and a score in a 56-0 blowout of the Vanderbilt Commodores, with little required from the aerial attack in a game in which the Volunteers piled up 362 rushing yards.
The Florida native has thrown a touchdown pass in each of his last four appearances, three of them in a backup role. He finished the regular season with 34 completions in 54 attempts for a 63 percent completion rate with 720 passing yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Volunteers, who opened the season with eight straight victories before a 27-13 loss to the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs in Week 9, will be aiming to finish the year strong under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.
Keys to Victory: Clemson
Limit Tennessee’s top-notch offense. The Vols average a nation-best 45.7 points per game, hiking that number to an eye-popping 53.3 over their last three contests. The Tigers will have to put a target on the backs of offensive weapons like WR Jalin Hyatt and RB Jaylen Wright. Clemson restricted opponents to 100.9 rushing yards per game, the eighth-best mark in Division 1. Klubnik will need to stay focused and prove he’s not a one-show pony and can continue what he started in the conference championship.
Keys to Victory: Tennessee
The run defense needs to flex its muscles. Clemson will rely on sophomore RB Will Shipley, who was recently named to the All-ACC first team and rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. The Vols are capable of closing the gaps on Shipley, limiting opponents to 115.5 rushing yards per game (ranked 21st). The Tennessee pass rush, which recorded 40 sacks on the season, will look to pressure Klubnik and force Clemson’s freshman QB into mistakes.
Orange Bowl Computer Pick: Tennessee +6.5
Check out more of our signature college football computer picks, plus our favorite sportsbooks that serve football customers.
5