Kentucky vs. Tennessee: KSR Staff Predictions

After the bye week, the Kentucky Football team and the KSR staff need to get back on track. All six of us picked the Cats to beat the Missouri Tigers two weeks ago at Kroger Field. Not only did that not happen, but Kentucky’s performance was so bad it left us questioning this team and what lies ahead for the rest of the season.

So, what better opponent to bounce back against than Tennessee? The Vols are also 5-2 this season, 2-2 in SEC play. Like Kentucky, they’re coming off a disappointing loss, having blown a 20-7 halftime lead to Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Although the history of this series provides plenty of emotional baggage for Kentucky fans, the Vols are only a 3.5-point favorite in Vegas.

Who will prevail? It’s time for the KSR crew to share our predictions.

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Tyler Thompson

Not gonna lie, I’ve been putting off thinking about this game as long as possible. Combine the depressing loss to Missouri and Tennessee’s history of crushing our souls and I’m very worried about Saturday night. On paper, it’s just one game; however, it feels like the stakes are much higher. Win and the dreams you had for the season are very much back on the table. Lose and things could snowball the rest of the way. Kentucky’s go-to-pieces vs. Missouri proves toughness and resiliency aren’t exactly this team’s strengths.

The Cats are capable of winning this game; if they play like they did vs. Florida, which walloped Tennessee, they will. They are also fresh off a bye, whereas the Vols are coming off a crushing loss to Alabama. Tennessee is not the same team that whipped Kentucky 44-6 last season. Joe Milton is not Hendon Hooker. The Vols are 0-2 on the road and rack up even more penalties than Kentucky. That said, they have a very good rushing attack and Kentucky can’t afford the mistakes they made vs. Missouri and Georgia.

Like I said, Kentucky can win, but I’ve seen this story too many times to have faith that they will.

Score: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 24

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Drew Franklin

Joe Milton ain’t it. The people on TV tried to tell you he and Tennessee’s offense will light up the SEC this year, but they were all blind to how much Milton is not him. Tennessee actually runs the ball over the air attack of a year ago.

To be fair, Kentucky’s in the same spot. Devin Leary hasn’t been any better, leaving Kentucky with the same predicament. The offense was built to throw, but it just isn’t working out.

So, I think we’re headed toward a close, low-scoring affair in Lexington, and I’m going to put my faith behind the Wildcats in a huge get-right game. The Cats haven’t won a football game since the bludgeoning of Florida nearly a month ago, and I think Ray Davis is hungry to get back in the end zone a time or two.

Score: Kentucky 23, Tennessee 20

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Zack Geoghegan

In what is easily the biggest game of the year so far for Kentucky, I’m still not sure what to think about the Wildcats’ defense heading into Saturday — even more so than the offense. Joe Milton can run, but he’s no Hendon Hooker when it comes to slinging it downfield. How well can Kentucky contain him? I don’t feel sure in saying they’ll be able to. Brad White’s unit in the last two games did not inspire much confidence.

I do, however, expect a bounce-back performance from the offense. Despite what Mark Stoops has said this week, Kentucky needs to go back to running the ball and force-feeding Ray Davis. This will be a higher-scoring game than expected. Devin Leary and his receivers will truly get on the same page for the first time after having the week off to fix communication (and overall catching) issues. In reality, if it doesn’t happen this week, it might just not be meant to be this season.

Both teams are going to be desperate for this win. Tennessee is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Alabama. Kentucky is looking to prevent its season from spiraling. That being said, the Volunteers will yet again ruin another weekend for the Big Blue Nation with a go-ahead, touchdown-scoring drive in the closing minutes.

Score: Tennessee 34, Kentucky 30

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Nick Roush

The night is always darkest before the dawn. Is that factually true? Probably not, but I do have confidence that Mark Stoops can pick up these Wildcats and get them back on track.

We’ve been waiting for the Devin Leary breakthrough. He has it somewhere inside him. I’m confident that Liam Coen can get the QB right after two weeks. After taking two of his worst losses as a defensive coordinator, Brad White will have his defense ready to play.

Tennessee is battered and beaten after a demoralizing defeat at Alabama. Kentucky will bring the physicality. Joe Milton’s arm doesn’t scare me as much as his legs. He’ll make a big run late to give the Vols a lead and bring anxiety all over Kroger Field. That all will go away when Ray Davis turns nothing into something for a game-winning score. I picked it in the preseason, I’m not letting a Missouri loss change my mind. The Cats are getting the W and the season is BACK.

Score: Kentucky 24, Tennessee 21

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Adam Luckett

A massive swing game in the SEC will take place on Saturday night at Kroger Field. Both Kentucky and Tennessee are 5-2 (2-2) and need a win to prevent a season with high expectations from getting off the tracks. One fan base will be thrilled and the other will be having a meltdown on Saturday night. Expect a tense atmosphere in Lexington on Halloween weekend.

In a very even matchup between two teams that are good at running the football and aren’t afraid to lean on their defense to win games, this game could come down to which super senior quarterback makes the clutch play or avoids the huge mistake late. Devin Leary and Joe Milton have both been disappointing this year, but each will have a chance to change the narrative in this rivalry game.

I give Tennessee the edge thanks to Milton’s legs (317 non-sack rushing yards, 8.8 yards per rush, 12 rushes of 10-plus yards). Add in that the Vols appear to have a sizable advantage on special teams and that should be enough to get them over the hump in a tough spot after facing Texas A&M and Alabama in consecutive weeks.

Liam Coen’s opening script gets the Cats up early, but the offense again bogs down in the middle part of the game and won’t have enough juice to get it done late. Tennessee wins another close one in Kentucky’s house.

Score: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 23