The teams couldn't be more different as the Kentucky Wildcats gear up to take on the Tennessee Volunteers this Saturday. Tennessee’s high-speed offense is gunning for a College Football Playoff appearance, while Kentucky comes in at 3-5, riding a three-game losing streak and dealing with a lengthy injury list.
For Big Blue Nation, this matchup is about more than records or rankings; it’s about pride. Few teams spark as much emotion for Kentucky fans as the Vols. While the trip to Neyland Stadium might not be long, the ride home has too often felt like an eternity for Wildcat fans. This season, hopes of an upset are slim.
As "rivalries" go in college football, few have been as one-sided as Kentucky-Tennessee. The Wildcats have won just four times in the last 40 years. Two of those wins have come under Mark Stoops. The last time UK beat a Tennessee team that finished with a winning record was 1984.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) October 28, 2024
That is just brutal. This season Cats fans have little hope of an upset, but what are the Tennessee fans thinking?
Kentucky at Tennessee by the numbers pic.twitter.com/58L1vEh54e
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 31, 2024
The SEC defenses best at generating pressure in league play ahead of WK10
— Clark Brooks (@SEC_StatCat) October 31, 2024
1. Tennessee
2. S. Carolina
3. Georgia
4. Texas
5. TAMU
6. Kentucky
7. Ole Miss
8. Arkansas
9. LSU
10. Vanderbilt
SEC AVR = 22.4%https://t.co/ULxmEt23sn pic.twitter.com/C3jUbgjsQn
Tennessee fans and analysts aren’t shy about their confidence heading into the game, and why shouldn't they be? The stats back them up. Tennessee's offense and defense outpace Kentucky's in nearly every category. Kentucky’s offensive strength is the ground game, but the Volunteers happen to be elite at defending the run. Neither team has been particularly explosive this season, yet Tennessee ranks in the top five nationally in limiting opponents on third downs and explosive plays. Not exactly ideal for a struggling Kentucky offense that might even be considering a quarterback change. Also, it is safe to say no love was lost for Mincey after the transfer:
Current Kentucky offensive lineman and former Tennessee offensive lineman Gerald Mincey had some strong words about his return to Rocky Top earlier in the season… 😳
— Tennessee Volunteers (@Volology) October 28, 2024
The Wildcats are currently 3-5. pic.twitter.com/TqLTEWRjBL
Meanwhile, Volunteers fans remain vocal and confident about their chances against the Cats—and why shouldn’t they be? Tennessee has a strong grip on the series, whether we like it or not (and we don’t). We have not beaten a Tennessee team that finished with a winning record since 1984. What are the Vols fans saying heading into the matchup?
Kentucky players waiting to enter a sold out, blacked out Neyland Stadium at night with fireworks going off overhead pic.twitter.com/YiuGtUtYJt
— MoJo (@Tennessee_Mojo) November 1, 2024
Remember when Kentucky did all of this before kickoff last season just to lose to Tennessee again. pic.twitter.com/A0KzYFqqN0
— More Important Issues (@More_Issues) October 27, 2024
Even when they’re at their best and we’re at our worst, Tennessee will always be Kentucky’s daddy pic.twitter.com/PeW1SnEC0C
— No Context NATIONAL CHAMPION Vol (@ZeroContextVols) October 25, 2024
Score Prediction
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) November 1, 2024
Kentucky vs Tennessee pic.twitter.com/wQT9jpulGT
For Kentucky to have a shot at winning, it needs to bring a physical game and play disciplined football. Coach Mark Stoops knows that too often in heated games, his team’s emotions lead to costly mistakes, but can he have his team ready to play disciplined football on Saturday? If Kentucky wants a bowl game, this one is almost a must-win.
Kentucky plays Tennessee Saturday night at 7:45 PM on the SEC Network.