An early game by game look at the Kentucky Wildcats football season

Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

OCTOBER 31
TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (7-6)

The Volunteers are a team on the rise in the SEC East and they could be a surprise contender in the division. That comes with a grain of salt as South Carolina and Florida are still expected to struggle so the Volunteer’s rise could come as a result of other teams underperforming. Regardless, Butch Jones has a very solid core group of 17 starters returning from the team that manhandled Iowa in the Taxslayer Bowl. That win has the orange clad fanatics expecting a SEC Title and for the first time, Butch Jones has a little pressure.

Despite all the optimism, Tennessee still has a lot to prove. Joshua Dobbs has to continue to progress his game and the return of Marquez North and Pig Howard will speed that along. Elsewhere, this is still a very young Tennessee team that has to take the next step. Despite their bowl season, the Vols went 0-5 versus ranked teams. There will be pressure to do better.

There is always going to be a lot of comparisons between Kentucky and Tennessee because they both hired new coaches three years ago and both field a young team that should improve immensely.  Howver, the Vols are just a bit better than Kentucky and have recruited just a bit better.  The teams are still pretty close talent wise, but the Vols are just a bit ahead of Kentucky. This should be a good game and Kentucky has a chance to win at home, but if the Vols progress as expected, they should win.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs