Cats will face Clemson in Music City encore

The University of Kentucky went back to a familiar place to face a known enemy during the 2009 season bowl.

The Wildcats (7-5) will play Clemson (8-5) in the Music City Bowl on Sunday, December 27th at 8:30 pm at LP Field in Nashville. Spain beat the Tigers 28-20 in the 2006 Music City Bowl.

The Wildcats had spoken throughout the season of wanting to leave the state of Tennessee for a bowl game. However, a painful 30-24 overtime loss to Tennessee combined with an unusual set of circumstances with the ACC bowl selection process UK headed back to Nashville.

Georgia Tech won the ACC's BCS bid by beating Clemson, and the Chick-fil-A Bowl was a duel with Virginia Tech-Tennessee. But with Florida State coach Bobby Bowden in a position to retire at the end of the season, the Seminoles became a hot commodity in the bowl circuit, and the Gator Bowl, which the following selection of ACC teams, decided to take Clemson's Bowden's farewell reception. The Champs Sports Bowl then went to Miami, with the Music City Bowl contractually obliged to take the loser of the ACC championship game if it were available, the United Kingdom formed Clemson rematch.

Now the Wildcats must put on their happy faces and be ready to return to Nashville. This marks an unprecedented fourth consecutive Bowl to the Kentucky program.

"I think the important thing is that we are in our fourth consecutive plate," UK Coach Rich Brooks. "It's an environment that is familiar. We are familiar with where we practice, meeting rooms, hotels, the whole deal."

"It is still a bowl game, and is better than staying at home," senior running back Alphonso Smith said.

There has been talk of cats, possibly sliding to the bottom for the Independence Bowl, but City Music decided to grab the UK, which means that Georgia went to Shreveport.

"We definitely could have been much worse, just ask some teams that go to other places that are upset because they are not where we are," Brooks said. "And we will not bother us where someone is going. So that's part of the equation."

Kentucky was trying to spin the positive aspects of another trip to the Music City. The Music City Bowl will be broadcast in primetime on ESPN and is the only bowl game will take place on December 27. And the British players want to try to erase the bitter taste of Tennessee's departure from the mouth.

"I think it will persist for the rest of my life," Smith said of the loss of the UT. "It hurts very badly, and possibly pain for a long time. Every time I see the orange Tennessee I'll probably get sick. But if we win this game, it will help wash away the Tennessee game.

Clemson won the ACC Atlantic Division, but fell to Georgia Tech 39-34 in ACC Championship Game on Saturday.

The main corridor property of the Tigers / kick returner and ACC Player of the Year CJ Spiller, who rushed for 233 yards and four touchdowns in the title game of the ACC. Spiller has 7416 total yards in his professional career and needs 349 yards to become the all-time leader of the NCAA. His 50 career touchdowns rank second all-time behind Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (56).

The Wildcats also use the weaker role relative to an extra motivation.

"I'm sure (Clemson) will be favored, to give us something to get excited to go out and prove ourselves," senior defensive tackle Corey Peters said.

And Smith said that the gifts that come with a container where it looks worthwhile.

"We are excited once the bowl gifts begin to arrive," Smith said. "I'm happy to have another (bol) ring. I will be like (Michael) Jordan almost."

There will be another twist to this year's trip to Nashville. United Kingdom played on December 29 and December 31 in her other two trips to the Music City Bowl, which allowed players to go home for Christmas before the meeting in Nashville. But with the 2009 game set for Dec. 27, the cats will leave on December 22 and practice on Christmas Day.

"We will have some meals and everything," says Brooks. "I do not know if I have a Santa suit that fits me or not, and I know that my players do not think it's Santa anyway. That would probably be a bad idea.

Smith wants shot Spiller

Smith was a little upset when he found a Web site that Spiller is listed as the back of higher ranking in the nation. Smith said the website has it and Spiller 40-yard sometimes mixed with 4.3 speed list Spiller and Smith, with 4.4.

Smith has clocked under 4.3 in the UK Pro Day workouts in the past. He said he would like a friendly race with Spiller only to prove his point.

"How you can change 40 times in that way?" Smith said with a smile. "I do not run a 4.4, which is an insult. I have something to prove. I hope we can do in practice. Having the camera there for all to see."