Clemson (9-4) outscored Kentucky (7-6) 28-14 over the last 15 minutes.
Clemson was at a crossroads in late October, its season on the verge of unraveling following consecutive one-score losses to Miami and North Carolina State.
Instead of likely earning a spot in the Orange Bowl in Miami, the Cards were bumped to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego, California, where they will likely play Southern California at 8 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 27.
The Wildcats (6-5, 3-5) have lost five of six since starting the season 5-0.
Trailing 28-23 early in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals scored two touchdowns in the final 11 minutes to defeat Miami, 38-31.
The Wildcats didn’t do much different from what they have done all season to win their third straight bowl game.
The Wildcats will look to improve upon its 4-6 record in its first game without offensive coordinator Eddie Gran.
A missed extra point, a failure to cover an onside kick and a missed 52-yard field goal that perhaps shouldn’t even have been attempted were the culprits in the Hoosiers' loss Thursday.
Indiana will face Tennessee in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Less than 15 minutes after multiple sources said that the University of Louisville would play Tennessee in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, the Cardinals were thrown a curve ball and told that their opponent would actually be Mississippi State.