KSR Today: Kentucky prepares for Tennessee in Knoxville

Kentucky’s much-needed break is over. It’s time to take advantage of the bye week — not common under Mark Stoops, unfortunately — and take care of business in Knoxville for the second straight time. The Wildcats got the better of Tennessee in 2020, a 34-7 win at Neyland Stadium, the first road win for UK vs. UT since 1984.

Stoops is just 5-7 coming off bye weeks during his time in Lexington, including losses vs. No. 20 Florida (2013), at Mississippi State (2013), at No. 24 Louisville (2014), vs. Auburn (2015), at Mississippi State (2017), vs. Tennessee (2019) and at Mississippi State (2021). Of the wins, none came by over two scores. Factor in Kentucky’s historic struggles in Knoxville, it’s a chance to turn two glaring negatives into a positive.

“Any time you get two weeks between games, it’s been good for the reasons we’ve talked about,” Stoops said Thursday. “We’re getting ourselves healthy, getting some extra prep, getting our legs up underneath us. Now, yeah, it’s time to go. It’s different for us being that it’s a bus trip, but guys are excited and we’ve had good prep.”

Going into this weekend’s matchup, Tennessee holds firm as an 11.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 61 points. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives the Volunteers an 82.9% chance to beat the Wildcats, with the money line set at -455 in favor of the home team.

Tennessee is firing on all cylinders, scoring 50.1 points per game (No. 1 in CFB) and averaging 7.5 yards per play (No. 2) and 11.4 yards per attempt (No. 1). The Volunteers’ red zone TD rate is 82% (No. 4) and they’re scoring 4.14 points per drive (No. 3).

Hendon Hooker is the star of the show at quarterback (2,093 yards, 18 TD, 1 INT), while Jalin Hyatt has emerged as the nation’s top receiver (769 yards, 12 TD). The rushing attack consists of two solid threats in Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright, who have combined for over 800 yards on the ground to go with 12 total touchdowns. And Hooker has added 315 rushing yards and three scores, as well.

Simply put, Kentucky’s defense will be put to the test.

As for the Volunteer defense, there are holes and opportunities for success for the Wildcats to capitalize on. They allow 23.1 points (T-No. 49), 5.4 yards per play (T-No. 59), 7.2 yards per attempt (T-No. 66) and give up 2.18 points per drive (No. 62). UT will score points, but UK should be able to, as well, creating a shootout in Knoxville.

The matchup is set to take place Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Mark Stoops previews UK vs. UT

What are Stoops’ thoughts on the Volunteers and how are the Wildcats preparing to slow them down in a tough environment like Neyland Stadium?

“There are a lot of our players with experience that have played in a lot of these tough venues,” he said. “You have to embrace it and you have to be ready to meet that challenge, or you’re going to have a hard time.”

All-Access from Kentucky’s last win in Knoxville

“If you come together, nobody can stop you.”

Blowout win. Game ball for John Schlarman. No better way to prepare for this weekend’s rivalry matchup than reliving Kentucky’s last trip to Knoxville.

Kroger KSR Game of the Week heads to Boyle County

Friday evening marks the final Kroger KSR Game of the Week of the 2022 regular season, and it’s a big one, a battle of top-10 foes and title contenders. KSR will be in Boyle County to see the Rebels (8-1) take on the Frederick Douglass Broncos (9-0), the former representing 4A and the latter being 5A.

The Broncos enter the matchup ranked No. 2 overall in the KSR Weekly Poll, while the Rebels — who have won consecutive 4A state titles — come in ranked No. 7. Frederick Douglass fell to South Warren last season in the 5A title game and are looking to finish the job this time around, and they’ve got the squad to do it. It’s a matchup set to feature multiple Kentucky football commits, along with other talent pledged to other Division I programs. There are also multiple underclassmen with high-major offers, creating a head-to-head battle of elite talent, along with great coaching.

Boyle County crushed Frederick Douglass 34-7 to close out last season. Now, the Broncos are looking for revenge. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Oscar Tshiebwe plays For The Love Of The Game

Why is Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe the player and person he is on and off the floor? He discussed his love for the game in the program’s ongoing series with the players and coaches.

In short, it’s an avenue for him to share his testimony with fans and bring more people to God.

“The game of basketball has changed many things for me,” Tshiebwe said. “This game is a gift from God, he’s given me the talent to play great in front of people. It’s special to me because it’s bringing more people to me and God has given me the ability to preach and speak His word. That’s what makes the game of basketball special, it brings more people to me so I can teach them about God.”

One of one.@Oscartshiebwe34 on his love for the game of basketball. pic.twitter.com/Xy0Nnx6S56

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 27, 2022

(Real) exhibition play begins this weekend for MBB

All eyes will be on Kentucky football’s matchup at Tennessee on Saturday, but don’t forget about men’s basketball on Sunday. The Wildcats are set to take on Missouri Western State in the program’s first official exhibition game of the 2022-23 season — not counting the Bahamas and Blue-White Game, of course — on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. ET, live on SEC Network.

It will be a homecoming for the opposing coaching staff, as the Griffons are coached by former Kentucky basketball manager Will Martin, with former Wildcats Jon Hood and Perry Stevenson also serving as assistants.

Martin was a manager at UK when Calipari first arrived in Lexington, working with the team from 2009-13 — a run that included three Elite Eights, two Final Fours and one national championship. Hood played at Kentucky from 2009-14, while Stevenson suited up for the Wildcats from 2006-10.

Two exhibition matchups before regular season play begins for UK. Basketball season is here.

But first, it’s time to beat the Volunteers on the gridiron.