Gator Bowl Tickets

2009 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Predictions The Clemson Tigers will take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1 at 1 p.m. in Jacksonville.

Clemson is a team that came into the year with the highest of expectations, with some even putting them in the national championship conversation.

Instead, Clemson did what it has always done recently when given high expectations: failed miserably.

The Tigers opened up the season by getting thumped by Alabama before rattling off three wins against lesser competition. They then lost three straight ACC games and head coach Tommy Bowden eventually left.

However, Clemson rebounded well after Bowden left and built some momentum in the bowl season by winning three of their final four games, including a big victory over the rival South Carolina Gamecocks.

Meanwhile, the Nebraska Cornhuskers flew under the radar in the top-heavy Big 12 as they try and return to the prominence they enjoyed in years past.

All of their losses were fairly respectable and they weren't blown out in any games. They lost to Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Missouri, all very quality teams playing in big bowl games.

Nebraska ended the season strong, winning their final three games, which included wins over Kansas and at Kansas State.

Prediction: Clemson 27, Nebraska 20