December 27th 2009, 8:30 ET ESPN

The Gaylord's Hotel Music City Bowl will kickoff for the twelfth time in Nashville Tennessee.  This game will be a rematch of the 2006 game where the Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Clemson Tigers 28-20.  That is Clemson's only Music City Bowl appearance while Kentucky holds an all time 2-1 Music City Bowl record.

Kentucky leads the all time series 8-4 with the above Music City Bowl the most recent meeting of these two teams.

How do the numbers align for 2009?

General

Clemson has played tougher opponents and has played them more competitively than Kentucky has played ranked opponents. Clemson look like a solid favorite for this game. It should be noted that Kentucky did play a good number of teams just outside the top 25 well.

Kentucky's Ball

Both teams have faced significant challenges so don't expect anything out of the ordinary here. Look for Kentucky to try to control the ground game. If Clemson can force them into passing situations they should have a good day.

Clemson's Ball

Clemson should be able to move the ball consistently on the ground or through the air. They need to watch out for a defense that is willing and able to make them pay for a costly mistake.

Prediction

Nothing is really jumping out at me here.

Clemson 27 Kentucky 24