Kentucky (3-5, 1-5 SEC) is set to clash with No. 7 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1) on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on SEC Network.
BetMGM’s college football odds favor Tennessee by 16.5 points.
Historically, Tennessee leads the series with an impressive record of 84 wins, 26 losses, and 9 ties against Kentucky.
What’s on the line?
The Volunteers are coming off a bye week after a significant victory against Alabama. They remain firmly in contention for a spot in the upcoming expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, but every game counts without any room for errors. In contrast, Kentucky’s recent performance has been lackluster, with three consecutive losses since their surprise victory over Mississippi. The Wildcats are at risk of not qualifying for postseason play for the first time in almost a decade. They have also struggled in conference play, losing 10 of their last 12 SEC matches.
Decisive matchups
For Kentucky to succeed, they must effectively halt Tennessee’s running attack and compel quarterback Nico Iamaleava to rely on his passing skills. Currently, the Wildcats rank No. 52 in the nation in run defense, conceding an average of 132.4 yards per game. On the other hand, Tennessee boasts the seventh-ranked running offense, averaging 241.6 yards. Notably, Tennessee’s running back Dylan Sampson ranks No. 13 nationally with 838 rushing yards and has surpassed 100 yards in all but one game this season.
Key players to monitor
For Kentucky, quarterback Brock Vandagriff had a modest outing with just 120 passing yards against Auburn, yet he stands out as one of the SEC’s leading quarterbacks during conference play. A majority of his offensive production, 830 of his total 1,236 yards, along with three of his five touchdowns, have come against SEC opponents, and he boasts a 12.4-yard average per completion. Meanwhile, his total offensive plays stand at 193, averaging 147.0 yards.
On Tennessee’s side, either freshman Mike Matthews or redshirt sophomore Chris Brazzell will need to perform well, particularly since Bru McCoy is coping with an arm issue and Squirrel White has recently missed some games due to a shoulder injury, although he is anticipated to participate against Kentucky.
Interesting stats
Tennessee’s defense has excelled, leading the country by allowing only three plays of 30 yards or more for the entire season. Kentucky, however, struggles with a ranking of 103rd in sacks allowed with 20, which could be a vulnerability considering Tennessee’s defense has recorded 15 sacks. Additionally, the Wildcats have yet to exceed 20 points in any SEC match this season. The Volunteers have achieved success at Neyland Stadium, winning five straight games and 17 of their last 18 home contests. Sampson is a standout with 17 rushing touchdowns, placing him third in FBS, just one short of tying the school record. Furthermore, Kentucky’s wide receiver Dane Key has been consistent, registering at least four receptions in five consecutive games. Unfortunately, Kentucky’s rushing offense is ranked No. 85 nationally, with an average of 141.8 yards, having only managed 70 yards against Auburn.