KSR's Kentucky vs. Tennessee Predictions

Kentucky hosts Tennessee under the lights of Kroger Field in ESPN2’s primetime game of the night. Beth Mowins and Kirk Morrison will call the game for the TV broadcast, but before they do we will try to call the game here on KSR in this week’s roundtable of predictions.

Read what the KSR crew expects from tonight’s game when the Cats and Vols meet in Lexington.

Drew Franklin

The low-down, dirty snitches from Knoxville are in Lexington with confidence after a better-than-expected start to the Josh Heupel era. He has the Vols moving the ball up and down the field with a new shiny toy of an offense, but today Tennessee meets a refocused and reenergized Kentucky defense, eager to get back on Mark Stoops’ good side.

Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez are also playing to get back on Stoops’ good side after both have struggled with turnovers. Those two and the rest of Kentucky’s offense will do enough to keep Kentucky out in front the entire way, while Tennessee’s passing attack comes up short in the red zone too often to keep up. Big plays from Kentucky’s safeties force Tennessee into field goals and Rodriguez bruises through Tennessee’s defense for 100+ yards and multiple scores.

Prediction: Kentucky 31, Tennessee 23

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Tyler Thompson

Even a month ago, my confidence in this game was very high. What a difference the Mississippi State game makes. The Cats’ lackluster performance in Starkville shook me a bit, I must admit. I thought Kentucky was past the annual clunker. Even though the Cats has snapped several Tennessee streaks in the past decade, the Vols coming to town with a high-octane offense has resurrected some old Rocky Top fears.

Like Kentucky, I’m going to shake all of that negativity off. After an embarrassing showing in Starkville, the Cats are hungry to prove themselves, and who better to do that against than the Vols? The offense will cut down on the turnovers, Chris Rodriguez will reassert himself, and Will Levis will rediscover his long ball. The defense, perhaps with an assist from the cold weather, will rise to the occasion to limit Hendon Hooker and the Tennessee offense to give the Cats their first back-to-back victories over the Vols since 1976-77.

Prediction: Kentucky 28 Tennessee 24

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Nick Roush

I woke up with a feeling, a feeling that Kentucky will kick Tennessee’s ass. I don’t mean that relative to the scoreboard. I mean that it is going to be an absolute street fight on the gridiron and Kentucky is going to beat up the Vols.

Last week the Wildcats got out-physicaled by Mississippi State. It absolutely disgusted Mark Stoops. The Youngstown in him simply cannot tolerate softness. Even though the Wildcats are banged up, tonight they will get an opportunity to unleash three weeks of frustration onto a team they loathe with the fire of a thousand suns.

That does not mean it will be a pretty game. Hendon Hooker will still find a way to score, but ultimately, this is all about Kentucky. Once they rediscover their run game, it will be a mauling victory that reminds the Vols that they have been surpassed in the SEC East.

Prediction: Kentucky 31, Tennessee 21

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Zack Geoghegan

I’m expecting a serious bounce-back effort from Kentucky today. Chris Rodriguez Jr. should be back to his usual self and the ‘Cats should have no shortage of energy following last weeks’ embarrassment against Mississippi State. Tennessee isn’t going to dink-and-dunk UK to death as the Bulldogs did, but if the Vols try, Kentucky should be more than prepared.

Aside from C-Rod, Will Levis needs to have the biggest bounce-back performance. 150 yards for one touchdown and three picks isn’t going to cut it in the SEC. With injuries across the board, a surprise impact player might be necessary, too. DeMarcus Harris did that last week with a touchdown reception. Who can be that player today?

Tennessee is a lot better than we thought they’d be coming into the season. A win would put Kentucky in prime position to finish the season with a historic 10-2 record. But the Vols will present a significant challenge, even if its starting QB is dealing with chattering teeth on the sideline.

Prediction: Kentucky 28, Tennessee 24

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Adam Luckett

Kentucky has lost two games in a row. The Wildcats have a defense that has given up 30-plus points in consecutive games and an offense that just can’t run the football. Fans and prognosticators seem to be thinking Kentucky is turning into a fraud.

Behind a tempo-powered offense and a defense that is playing better than expected, Tennessee is currently the flavor of the month. The Vols are getting a ton of hype heading into November despite owning a 4-4 record and a pair of blowout losses to Florid and Alabama.

The Vols have been getting patted on the back for two weeks and the Wildcats have been backed into a corner. That is just what Mark Stoops wants.

Kentucky will be the hungry team in the game and will deliver their best performance of the season. Chris Rodriguez Jr. gets the ball early and often as Tennessee’s 4-2-5 scheme will be easier to attack. Meanwhile, the defense will limit big plays like always and has the run defense to slow down a run-first spread.

The Wildcats survive the first quarter and use a keep-away offense to take control of the game in the second and third quarters. Tennesse has to get pass-happy in the second half and has some success against Kentucky’s secondary, but Brad White’s defense gets just enough pass-rushing production to create some much-needed havoc plays.

A big turnover seals the game late as Kentucky delivers a statement win to finish 2021 undefeated at home in SEC play.

Prediction: Kentucky 34, Tennessee 23

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Jack Pilgrim

Kentucky is coming off back-to-back losses in three consecutive weeks, and they’re looking to get back in the win column to help shift momentum heading down the home stretch of the season. And they’ll have to do it against an overachieving Tennessee team coming off an ugly 34-7 loss to the Wildcats in 2020.

Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez simply weren’t good enough in Starkville and must return to form with the Volunteers in town. Mark Stoops has praised Rodriguez’s efforts after a strong week of practice and said the star running back was back to 100% after dealing with an undisclosed injury. For Kentucky to win, it has to get back to dominating on the ground and winning at the line of scrimmage. Rodriguez returning to full strength is a good start.

The run game is the biggest priority, but UK also has to be able to hit some shots through the air to maintain balance and keep the Tennessee defense uncomfortable. Wan’Dale Robinson can’t be the only pass-catcher making plays, someone else has to step up. It’s also up to Levis to make his progressions and explore his options beyond Robinson.

I expect Kentucky to do both of those things Saturday, finding success on the ground and hitting some explosives to put points on the board. It’s just enough to take out the Volunteers and move to 7-2 on the year.

Prediction: Kentucky 31, Tennessee 27