Kentucky Game Preview
The Vols were victorious on the Third Saturday in October. Never take that for granted. After a much needed bye week and a bit of a reset the Vols will be back in action Saturday night against Kentucky as we gear up for the home stretch in what promises to be the most compelling November in college football history.
I'm writing the preview a day early this week as tomorrow is Halloween and I will be busy fulfilling my duties as a father to children who still trick or treat. This won't be a long preview. Frankly this really isn't a big game and I'm having a little trouble getting up for it. It would be easier if we were getting the one of the solid Kentucky teams we've seen over that past 6 or 7 years. This Kentucky team looks like an old school Kentucky football team. You know, the ones that were lucky to win four games? It may be a little hard for me to get excited about it but I pray the Vols aren't having the same problem.
It looked like the Wildcats were starting to shape into a decent team after the played Georgia off their feet and upset Ole Miss in Oxford. Then Vandy went to Lexington and won and the Cats almost look like they've quit on the season. They were blown out in the Swamp and let a bad Auburn team beat them by 14 at home. Their offense has been terrible all year. They've failed to score more than 20 points in any SEC game. Their defense seemed stout until Florida and Auburn shredded them. Now they are limping in to Knoxville with several key injuries.
Kentucky's offense is averaging only 308 yards per game. Only Oklahoma is worse in the SEC. They score only 19 points per game, the worst in the league. Their defensive numbers have been pretty good but Florida torched them in the air and Auburn ran all over them.
Tennessee's offense, for all its faults, are still 3rd in the SEC yards per game with 474 per game and leads the conference in scoring (39.6 ppg) and rushing with 242 yards per game. Defensively the Vols are 2nd behind Texas, allowing only 259 yards per game and join Ole Miss as the only SEC defenses allowing fewer than 100 yards per game rushing. Tennessee is 2nd in points per game allowed with 11.6. Texas is first with 11.5.
I saw an interesting stat yesterday. Tennessee is only the 5th SEC team to hold their opponents under 20 points in every game through the first 7 games. The others to do so were LSU in 2003, Alabama in 2011 and 2012 and Georgia in 2021. All four of those teams went on to win national championships.
Here's how I see the game playing out. I think Tennessee's offense found some rhythm in the second half against Alabama. Nico seemed like a different player after he got hurt. I think he might have turned a corner. The offensive line blocked a lot better in that game too. With an extra week to prepare, I think the offense will start to look like were used to them looking under Heupel. I think Sampson will set the tone early and Nico will start finding open receivers off of play action. I think the Vols will start fast on Saturday and this game won't be in doubt for long.
I think the defense keeps doing what it's done all year. Kentucky won't be able to protect its quarterbacks and they won't move the ball much at all.
Tennessee starts the home stretch with some style points and this game is never close.
Tennessee (-16.5) 52
Kentucky 3
In other games...
Penn State (+3.5) 24
Ohio State 21
Arkansas (+6.5) 34
Ole Miss 30
Oregon 27
Michigan (+15.5) 21
Georgia 31
Florida (+16.5) 24
South Carolina (+2.5) 28
Texas A&M 27
SMU 34
Pitt (+7.5) 30
Last time 3-3(2-4 ATS) Overall Record 25-14(18-21 ATS)
Just five games left in the regular season. Cherish ever game that's left.
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I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read this. I really do. Thank you.
Have a great weekend everyone. Stay safe. Go Vols and God Bless!