The Volunteers saw their CFP hopes fade with losses in two of their final four outings, while the Tigers look to build on their 39-10 rout of North Carolina in this season’s ACC championship game.

The Tigers are perched as 5.5-point favourites in Friday’s contest, and the total is pegged at a lofty 63.5.

Capital One Orange Bowl Betting Analysis

Friday night’s matchup at Hard Rock Stadium marks first meeting between these times since 2004, and just their fourth clash since 1944. The Tigers rolled to a 27-14 when they battled Tennessee in the 2004 Peach Bowl, ending a seven-game straight up losing streak in head-to-head action that dated back to 1919. 

Tennessee is coming off a 47-45 loss to Purdue in last year’s Music City Bowl that put the brakes on a four-game win streak in bowl game action, but has fallen to defeat in each of its past three Orange Bowl appearances. The Tigers snapped a two-game slide in bowl game action with last year’s 20-13 win over Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl, and have earned the win in three of their past four Orange Bowl appearances.

Tennessee Volunteers

The Volunteers emerged as College Football Playoff contenders while winning each of their first eight games of the season, but tumbled to No. 6 in the CFP rankings during their middling 2-2 stretch run. Overall, the Vols closed out their regular season with a 10-2 overall record, and a 6-2 mark in conference play, earning them second place in the SEC East standings. The team rebounded well from a stunning 63-38 loss to South Carolina in Week 12 that effectively snuffed out their CFP chances, rolling to a dominating 53-0 win over Vanderbilt in their regular season finale.

However, the Volunteers will be missing some key offensive personnel when they hit the gridiron for Friday night’s contest. With quarterback Hendon Hooker sidelined by injury, Joe Milton III is expected to make a second straight start. The towering senior tossed for 147 yards and one score against Vandy, but will have to make do without top receivers Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. The duo combined to make 18 total scoring catches this season, but both opted out of Friday’s contest 

Clemson Tigers

Big games are nothing new for the Tigers, who have fought their way to four CFP national championship game appearances and two wins over the past decade. However, this season’s edition of the Tigers also saw their CFP hopes dashed by South Carolina with a stunning 31-30 Palmetto Bowl loss to the Gamecocks. First-place finishers in the ACC Atlantic Division with a spotless 8-0 record, the Tigers closed out their schedule with an 11-2 overall record in the wake of their loss to the Gamecocks, and out of contention at No. 6 in the CFP rankings. Apart from their two defeats this season, the Tigers have been a dominating defensive force this season.

The Clemson defence limited opponents to just 17.7 points per game over their 11 victories, and ranked 17^th overall in the nation. And with quarterback DJ Uiagalelei racking up 29 total touchdowns, the Tigers also ranked 25^th in the nation in points per game. However, Uiagalelei is unavailable on Friday after entering the transfer portal, adding to a growing list that includes receivers Beaux Collins and rusher Kobe Pace. Accordingly, freshman Cade Klubnik is expected to take over under center after tossing for 279 yards and one touchdown, and running for a second score in the team’s recent rout of the Tar Heels.

Orange Bowl Prediction: Who Will Win Tennessee vs. Clemson?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Volunteers Team Leaders

TENN

Touchdowns	Jalin Hyatt 15
Rushing	Jaylen Wright 786
Passing	Hendon Hooker 3135
Receiving	Jalin Hyatt 67
Sacks	Byron Young 5
Interceptions	Trevon Flowers 2

CLEM

Touchdowns	Will Shipley 15
Rushing	Will Shipley 1110
Passing	D.J. Uiagalelei 2521
Receiving	Antonio Williams 53
Sacks	Myles Murphy 6.5
Interceptions	R.J. Mickens 3

TENN

Touchdowns	Squirrel White 1
Rushing	Jaylen Wright 89
Passing	Joe Milton III 251
Receiving	Squirrel White 9
Sacks	Byron Young 2
Interceptions	Wesley Walker 1

CLEM

Touchdowns	Davis Allen 0
Rushing	Will Shipley 72
Passing	Cade Klubnik 320
Receiving	Joseph Ngata 8
Sacks	Ruke Orhorhoro 1
Interceptions	Davis Allen 0

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Tigers Team Leaders

TENN

Touchdowns	Jalin Hyatt 15
Rushing	Jaylen Wright 786
Passing	Hendon Hooker 3135
Receiving	Jalin Hyatt 67
Sacks	Byron Young 5
Interceptions	Trevon Flowers 2

CLEM

Touchdowns	Will Shipley 15
Rushing	Will Shipley 1110
Passing	D.J. Uiagalelei 2521
Receiving	Antonio Williams 53
Sacks	Myles Murphy 6.5
Interceptions	R.J. Mickens 3

TENN

Touchdowns	Squirrel White 1
Rushing	Jaylen Wright 89
Passing	Joe Milton III 251
Receiving	Squirrel White 9
Sacks	Byron Young 2
Interceptions	Wesley Walker 1

CLEM

Touchdowns	Davis Allen 0
Rushing	Will Shipley 72
Passing	Cade Klubnik 320
Receiving	Joseph Ngata 8
Sacks	Ruke Orhorhoro 1
Interceptions	Davis Allen 0

Injuries

Tennessee

Trevon Flowers (DB)

Out Fri Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 22

Tayven Jackson (QB)

Out Fri Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 22

Brandon Turnage (DB)

Out Fri Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 22

Jalin Hyatt (WR)

Out Fri Personal - 15 / 12 / 22

Cedric Tillman (WR)

Out Fri Personal - 12 / 12 / 22

Hendon Hooker (QB)

out for season Knee - 19 / 11 / 22

Cedric Tillman (WR)

Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 22

Jabari Small (RB)

Prob Sat Undisclosed - 10 / 11 / 22

Gerald Mincey (OL)

Ques Sat Undisclosed - 15 / 10 / 22

Jaylen McCollough (DB)

Prob Sat Poss. Suspension - 11 / 10 / 22

Clemson

Trenton Simpson (LB)

Out Fri Personal - 15 / 12 / 22

Myles Murphy (DE)

Out Fri Personal - 13 / 12 / 22

Beaux Collins (WR)

out for season Shoulder - 29 / 11 / 22

Malcolm Greene (CB)

out for season Groin - 15 / 11 / 22

Trenton Simpson (LB)

Ques Sat Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 22

Will Taylor (WR)

Ques Sat Knee - 12 / 11 / 22

Beaux Collins (WR)

Ques Sat Shoulder - 06 / 11 / 22

Xavier Thomas (DE)

out for season Foot - 22 / 10 / 22

Kobe Pace (RB)

Late Nov Ankle - 09 / 10 / 22

Bryan Bresee (DT)

Ques Sat Kidney - 01 / 10 / 22

Injuries

Tennessee

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Trevon Flowers (DB)	Out Fri	Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Flowers has an undefined injury, and he will not suit up for the Orange Bowl versus Clemson.
Tayven Jackson (QB)	Out Fri	Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Jackson is battling an unknown injury, and he will not be available against Clemson in the Orange Bowl.
Brandon Turnage (DB)	Out Fri	Undisclosed - 30 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Turnage is nursing an unlisted ailment, and he will not dress for the Orange Bowl against Clemson.
Jalin Hyatt (WR)	Out Fri	Personal - 15 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Hyatt has decided to enroll for the NFL Draft, and he will not play in the Orange Bowl versus Clemson.
Cedric Tillman (WR)	Out Fri	Personal - 12 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Tillman has opted out of the Orange Bowl versus Clemson to prepare for the NFL draft.
Hendon Hooker (QB)	out for season	Knee - 19 / 11 / 22	2-1	2-1	+ -
Hooker suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
Cedric Tillman (WR)	Ques Sat	Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Tillman was held out of the previous game due to an unspecified injury, and it is uncertain if he will suit up Saturday versus South Carolina.
Jabari Small (RB)	Prob Sat	Undisclosed - 10 / 11 / 22	2-2	2-2	+ -
Small is expected to take on Missouri on Saturday despite an unknown issue.
Gerald Mincey (OL)	Ques Sat	Undisclosed - 15 / 10 / 22	6-2	4-4	+ -
Mincey sat out the previous contest with an unknown ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Saturday's showdown with Alabama.
Jaylen McCollough (DB)	Prob Sat	Poss. Suspension - 11 / 10 / 22	6-2	4-4	+ -
McCollough sat out the last game due to an alleged off-field incident, but he is likely to take the field Saturday against Kentucky.

Clemson

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Trenton Simpson (LB)	Out Fri	Personal - 15 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Simpson has decided to declare for the NFL Draft, and he will not take on Tennessee in the Orange Bowl.
Myles Murphy (DE)	Out Fri	Personal - 13 / 12 / 22	1-0	0-1	+ -
Murphy will not suit up for the Orange Bowl versus Tennessee as he has declared for the NFL draft.
Beaux Collins (WR)	out for season	Shoulder - 29 / 11 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Collins will miss the rest of the season due to shoulder surgery.
Malcolm Greene (CB)	out for season	Groin - 15 / 11 / 22	3-1	2-2	+ -
Greene is likely to sit out the remainder of the regular season due groin surgery.
Trenton Simpson (LB)	Ques Sat	Undisclosed - 12 / 11 / 22	3-2	3-2	+ -
Simpson missed the last contest with an unknown injury, and it is undetermined if he will take on Miami on Saturday.
Will Taylor (WR)	Ques Sat	Knee - 12 / 11 / 22	3-2	3-2	+ -
Taylor has been held out of the previous two games with a knee injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take the field Saturday against North Carolina.
Beaux Collins (WR)	Ques Sat	Shoulder - 06 / 11 / 22	3-2	3-2	+ -
Collins has sat out the previous two contests due to a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will be active against South Carolina on Saturday.
Xavier Thomas (DE)	out for season	Foot - 22 / 10 / 22	4-3	4-3	+ -
Thomas will miss the remainder of the 2022 season with a foot injury.
Kobe Pace (RB)	Late Nov	Ankle - 09 / 10 / 22	5-3	4-4	+ -
Pace is expected to remain idle until the end of November due to a high-ankle sprain.
Bryan Bresee (DT)	Ques Sat	Kidney - 01 / 10 / 22	6-4	6-4	+ -
Bresee has missed the previous two games with a kidney infection, and it is unclear if he will face Florida State on Saturday.