[FF40212]

As a transplanted South Carolinian here in Kentucky and life-long Clemson fan, I will be glad to give you all the "scoop" here.

I want to begin by saying that I do admire UK football. I think that while there has been improvement over the last few years, unfortunately UK is still not "upper SEC caliber" yet.

I will also say that Clemson is just getting back on the road to success themselves.

For those of you who think that the last time UK and Clemson met in Nashville will somehow generate a repeat performance, let me disappoint you now with one name not CJ Spiller (who was a freshman back then) - Dabo Swinney. He is the key to the Tigers being where they are today, including the loss in the ACC Championship game the other night (a place Clemson hadn't been close to in 18 years).

When they last met (which I was there), Clemson was outdone by UK in every way. UK had more fans (which could be the case again potentially since UK has known for a little over a week now that they were going back to this bowl), more energy, and more passion to be there. UK was hungry. The fake punt and then subsequent long pass was all us Tiger fans needed in the first half to see that we were about to be outplayed. Again, no excuses, but UK wanted it more that day.

Now, as for today, this is a much different Clemson team. Different offensive and defensive coordinators, different Head Coach, different personality. On top of that, we've lost to the shamecocks and now GT in our last 2 games. This is Spiller's last collegiate game as well. I don't think focus will be as much of a problem.

There is nothing wrong with pulling for your team. I have seen a few laughable comments on here about folks wishing they could have played Miami (Clemson beat them AT Miami) or FSU (Clemson defeated them handily at Clemson). Also, comments about Clemson "not being physical" and comments that put the ACC down. Again, there is nothing wrong with pride. However, you all couldn't be more wrong. Clemson and the ACC are plenty strong enough. I will say that Clemson has struggled with the Wildcat formation stuff in our games versus Virginia and the shamecocks. I am thinking Cobb is a much better athlete than the player those 2 teams had running it as well. That is going to be a concern.

My prediction is this - if Clemson "shows up", the game won't be close. If Clemson reads our fan's comments about being 1 or 2 plays from the Orange Bowl instead of this one, we may have a ball game.

Again, just my opinion.....

GO TIGERS!