Mark Stoops: Kentucky has to be on high alert for Tennessee's JaVonta Payton

Mark Stoops fully understands the Tennessee Volunteers‘ dynamic offense is going to present problems for the Kentucky defense when the two SEC programs battle on Saturday.

In this week’s SEC teleconference, Stoops was asked specifically about planning for Tennessee wide receiver JaVonta Payton.

“Yeah, JaVonta is very dangerous,” Stoops said about the speedy Vols’ wide receiver.

Payton enters the matchup against the Wildcats with just 12 receptions, but the Volunteers’ wideout has 287 yards and a staggering five touchdowns in those limited attempts.

Mark Stoops says the entire Tennessee wide receiving corps has the ability to change the game in a moment.

“You really look around and you look at Tillman and Hyatt, Jones…heck all of them,” Stoops added.

“And you put JaVonta in there with them. They all can hurt you. Their offense obviously puts a lot of stress on you with the level that Hendon is playing and their system puts pressure on you in general. Then you add in some difference makers out there at wide receiver and you better be on your toes. That was very evident in the last time they played and in games before that. You better be locked in or they will run right by you in a blink. You gotta be locked in at all times.”

Mark Stoops disappointed in effort vs. Mississippi State

The Wildcats are looking to change the narrative against Tennessee after last week’s disappointing loss to Mississippi State.

Stoops didn’t mince words after the loss.

“Felt like we got pushed around,” Mark Stoops said after falling to the Bulldogs. “We were not able to run the ball, they ran the ball. They made competitive plays, outcoached us — outplayed us in every area. So overall just a very deflating defeat. They kicked our butts.”

In preparing for Tennessee, Stoops vowed to quickly correct the issues that plagued his team just a week ago.

“It’s not a good feeling,” Stoops added. “I don’t want to have a football team like this. I don’t think these guys want to play that way. That’s not who we’re going to be, that’s not going to be our identity. We’ll get back to work and get it fixed. Make sure we get the right guys on the field who want to continue to play like we play.”

On Saturday, Mark Stoops and the Wildcats will have their hands full with a Volunteers’ team that has had plenty of rest during the bye week.

Tennessee and Kentucky kickoff at 7PM ET on Saturday night.