Tennessee has played Kentucky more than any other school in their program’s history. And UT has historically dominated the Wildcats more than any other team they’ve played, too.
Saturday night’s contest in Lexington will mark the 115th game between the Vols and Wildcats. Tennessee is 80-25-9 all-time against Kentucky. The Vols’ 80 wins against Kentucky are the most wins UT has against any one team in school history. The Wildcats’ two wins over the last eight seasons against the Vols is their best stretch since winning four of the nine games they played against UT from 1976-1983.
This Saturday, both teams look to be fairly evenly-matched in what will be a pivotal contest for both schools.
Tennessee (4-5, 2-3 SEC) has won two-straight games and three of their last four contests after starting the season 1-4. Kentucky (4-4, 2-4) has won two of their last three games, all with wide receiver Lynn Bowden Jr. starting at quarterback, too.
Kentucky is coming off a bye week while the Vols will be playing their sixth-straight game, their longest stretch of games this season. Tennessee is coming off a 30-7 victory over UAB last weekend for Homecoming.
The Wildcats are expected to start Bowden at quarterback again, and he’s been dynamic with the ball in his hands every play. Bowden hasn’t thrown the ball a ton as UK’s starting quarterback, attempting 33 passes in three games (and completing 12 of them for 149 yards and a touchdown). Where Bowden has made a difference, though, is as a runner. In his three starts, Bowden has amassed 499 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 62 carries, giving him a whopping 8.1 yard per carry average.
Couple that with running backs AJ Rose (508 yards, 3 TDs) and Kavosiey Smoke (341 yards, 4 TDs), and Kentucky has one of the most dangerous rushing attacks in the SEC.
Kentucky also boasts a fairly solid defense. The Wildcats have held all but two of their eight opponents this season to under 24 points, and they have a stout pass defense as well.
Tennessee’s defense has played much better as of late, holding three of their last four opponents to 21 or fewer points. The Vols have also forced eight total turnovers in their last four games.
The last time Tennessee played Kentucky in Lexington, the Wildcats escaped with a 29-26 victory. The Vols are only 2-2 in their last four games in Lexington, losing in 2011 (10-7) as well.
Take a look at what we’re “buying and selling” about the game. Check out our complete opponent preview of Kentucky, and make sure you look at our score predictions for the game as well. You can also get a complete breakdown of the Wildcats in our interview with a Kentucky beat writer.
If you can’t make it to the game, here’s how you can watch or listen to the Vols’ match-up with the Kentucky Wildcats.
Kickoff: 7:30 Eastern, November 9th, Kroger Field (Lexington, KY)
TV: SEC Network (Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic)
Streaming Online: ESPN.com/Watch, ESPN app
Radio: Vol Network, XM 380
Line: Kentucky (-1.5)
