November 15th – Kentucky
Daniel: Mark Stoops is doing a good job upping the talent level and the enthusiasm for Kentucky football. Despite adding some nice pieces over the offseason, the Wildcats are still a few steps behind Tennessee though. They haven’t won in Knoxville since 1984 and this won’t be the season for that to change. It will be interesting to see, especially after Vanderbilt’s start to the season, if Kentucky can get out of the cellar of the SEC East this year. Winner: Volunteers
Houston: Tennessee beat Kentucky comfortably last year with far less talent than it will field against the Wildcats in 2014. The fact that this game will be played in Knoxville certainly doesn’t help Kentucky’s chances of keeping it close, let alone stealing a win. At this stage in the season, Tennessee will have their eyes firmly set on a bowl bid and they’ll know that a slip against Kentucky could spoil their chances. Tennessee starts fast and never looks back in this one. Winner: Volunteers
Reed: Kentucky is headed in the right direction under Mark Stoops. They return 16 starters (the most in 14 years) and, thanks to Stoops’ work on the recruiting trail, UK’s talent level will take a jump this fall. That said, Kentucky will still be a bottom-dweller in the SEC East until Stoops pulls in more of his recruits. The Wildcats haven’t bested Tennessee in Knoxville since 1984 and haven’t won an SEC game since 2011. Dooley isn’t on the sidelines so the Vols aren’t losing to the Wildcats. Winner: Volunteers
