Dark Mode on Rocky Top.
With the Volunteers fresh off their second and final bye week of the season, Tennessee has been hyping up the return of the all-black Dark Mode uniforms this week on social media as the Vols prepare to host the Kentucky Wildcats under the lights of Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee suffered a tough loss to Arkansas at the beginning of October but fired off two straight home wins against rivals Florida and Alabama to get back on the right track. The Vols’ offense continued to struggle to put up points in the first half but saw resilient efforts carry them to victory in both games, led by Tennessee’s stout defense.
Kentucky now enters Neyland Stadium on Saturday night as a team on its heels. While the Wildcats nearly took down Georgia and did defeat Ole Miss early in the year, Kentucky has rattled off three straight losses in October to unranked SEC teams. The Wildcats are also dealing with a bevy of injuries as they head to Knoxville on Saturday.
Tennessee is still fighting for their postseason goals as Kentucky looks to play spoiler to the Vols’ playoff chances.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know before the Volunteers and Wildcats square off under the lights on Saturday night on Rocky Top:
Tennessee Football Preview: Vols Searching For Statement Win Against Kentucky in Knoxville
How to Watch – Kentucky Wildcats (3-5, 1-5 SEC) at No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024
- Location: Neyland Stadium – Knoxville, TN
- Start Time: 6:45 p.m. CT/7:45 p.m. ET
- TV: SEC Network
- Online Streaming:
- Radio (Knoxville): The Vol Network/The Vol Network App
- Radio (Sirius): Sirius XM Channel 158 or 191
- Television Crew: Tom Hart (PxP), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline analyst) and Tori Petry (sideline reporter)
Gameday Timeline
Will Call Opens at Gate 21 – 3:45 p.m.
Truly’s Tailgate Opens – 3:45 p.m.
Vol Village Opens – 4:15 p.m.
Vol Walk – 5:30 p.m.
Gates Open – 5:45 p.m.
Pride of the Southland Band March – 6:05 p.m. (Pedestrian Bridge)
Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance Begins – 7:41 p.m.
National Anthem – 7:44 p.m.
Vols Run Through the T – 7:52 p.m.
Kickoff – 7:55 p.m.
Betting Odds (As of 4:00 p.m. ET, 11/1)
- FanDuel Sportsbook
- Spread: Tennessee -17.5 (-110)/Kentucky +17.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Tennessee (-1200)/Kentucky (+720)
- Total: Over 45.5 (-105)/Under 45.5 (-115)
- DraftKings
- Spread: Tennessee -17.5 (-108)/Kentucky +17.5 (-112)
- Moneyline: Tennessee (-950)/Kentucky (+625)
- Total: Over 45.5 (-110)/Under 45.5 (-110)
| TN Sportsbook | Bonus Offer | Bonus Link |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Bet $5, Get $158 in bonus bets | Claim Bonus — Use Code ROCKYBET |
| FanDuel | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Guaranteed | Claim Bonus |
| Caesars Sportsbook | Get a first bet on Caesars of up to $1,000 | Claim Bonus — Use Code STARTGET |
Previous Matchups
These two border programs are certainly no strangers. Bitter rivals would be a better way to put it.
Tennessee and Kentucky have squared off 119 times in program history with the Vols leading the series 84-26-9. Aside from a 12-game stretch in the 1950s and early 60s, Tennessee has dominated this rivalry. The Vols owned the 90s and 2000s and haven’t let up all that much in the 10s and 20s. Kentucky did find wins in 2020 and 2017 but is 0-3 against the Vols with Josh Heupel at the helm.
Here’s a look at the last five contests between Tennessee and Kentucky:
- 10/28/23 – Tennessee 33, Kentucky 27 | LEXINGTON
- 10/29/22 – Tennessee 44, Kentucky 6 | KNOXVILLE
- 11/6/21 – Tennessee 45, Kentucky 42 | LEXINGTON
- 10/17/20 – Kentucky 34, Tennessee 7 | KNOXVILLE
- 11/9/19 – Tennessee 17, Kentucky 13 | LEXINGTON
More from RTI: Tennessee Football vs. Kentucky: Thursday Night Injury Report
Stat Leaders
Tennessee:
- Passing: Nico Iamaleava – 108/170, 1413 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs
- Rushing: Dylan Sampson – 144 carries, 838 yards, 17 TDs
- Receiving: Dont’e Thornton – 12 receptions, 365 yards, 3 TDs
Kentucky:
- Passing: Brock Vandagriff – 100/175, 1236 yards, 6 TDs, 5 INTs
- Rushing: Demie Sumo-Karngbaye – 92 carries, 419 yards, 4 TDs
- Receiving: Dane Key – 39 receptions, 587 yards, 2 TDs
Recent Games:
Tennessee Volunteers:
- 9/14/24 – No. 7 Tennessee def. Kent State 71-0 (Knoxville, TN)
- 9/21/24 – No. 6 Tennessee def. No. 15 Oklahoma 25-15 (Norman, OK)
- 10/5/24 – Arkansas def. No. 4 Tennessee 19-14 (Fayetteville, AR)
- 10/12/24 – No. 8 Tennessee def. Florida 23-17 OT (Knoxville, TN)
- 10/19/24 – No. 11 Tennessee def. No. 7 Alabama 24-17 (Knoxville, TN)
Kentucky Wildcats:
- 9/21/24 – Kentucky def. Ohio 41-6
- 9/28/24 – Kentucky def. No. 6 Ole Miss 20-17
- 10/12/24 – Vanderbilt def. Kentucky 20-13
- 10/19/24 – Florida def. Kentucky 48-20
- 10/26/24 – Auburn def. Kentucky 24-10
Tennessee Uniform
We are Dark Mode.
⚫️⚫️⚫️#GBO 🍊 | @DICKS pic.twitter.com/jMmLmV2kvc
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 31, 2024
