Tennessee beaten Kentucky when theyve had the finest players and Tennessee has actually beaten Kentucky when they have not had the finest players. Tennessee has actually won in blowout fashion, and Tennessee has actually won in the last seconds.
Maybe the most worrying concern in that game was the performance of Tennessees vaunted offending line. In spite of getting beaten in protection a couple of times, Tennessee sophomore Henry Too Too had a game high 11 tackles, consisting of 2 for a loss against Georgia. Even Lane Kiffin won this video game in his lone conference while at Tennessee.
The Kentucky game has actually been the death knell of Tennessee coaches for roughly 35 years.
The Vols have only lost to UK two times considering that 1984. Boy oh boy have actually those losses been doozies.
In 2011, the Vols had their 26-game winning streak over the Wildcats snapped. That 10-7 defeat kept the Vols from making a bowl video game look.
In 2017, the Vols controlled Kentucky in every classification however the scoresheet. The 29-26 defeat resulted in completion of the Butch Jones era only 2 weeks later on.
Those losses stick out so vividly since they are so unusual. When theyve had the best players and Tennessee has actually beaten Kentucky when they havent had the best players, Tennessee beaten Kentucky. Tennessee has won in blowout fashion, and Tennessee has won in the last seconds.
That exact same year, the Vols went 5-7. Tennessee won convincingly 24-7.
What Im attempting to state here is that Tennessee merely doesnt lose to Kentucky. And when they do, Vols fans batten down the hatches and spread rumors about Jon Gruden concerning Knoxville.
Kentucky was a sleeper choice in the SEC before the season began. Losses to Auburn and Ole Miss squashed those hopes. They did get in the win column with a 24-2 victory over Mississippi State, but up until now this does not look like anything more than a 5-5 type of group.
Despite the win over MSU, the UK offense really struggled, getting a paltry 157 backyards. Auburn transfer Joey Gatewood got some playing time as well, so Tennessee is preparing to see both quarterbacks Saturday afternoon.
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis was the finest gamer on the field in that game, leading all defenders with 11 deals with, while adding an interception.
While UK pertains to Neyland Stadium on a winning note, the Vols are still licking their injuries following a 2nd-half shellacking at the hands of Georgia in Athens. The loss was an undesirable dosage of truth for a program that still needs to take a few advances if they want to complete in the SEC East.
Maybe the most worrying issue in that video game was the efficiency of Tennessees vaunted offensive line. They were manhandled by Georgias front 7, sacking Vols quarterback Jarrett Guarantano 5 times and requiring 3 turnovers in the 2nd half (consisting of a fumble return for a goal). Tennessee ran for a grand overall of negative 1 lawn too.
Yes, the UGA defense has NFL guys all over the location, however so does the UT offending line. If the “TVA” does not return to bullying opponents, its going to be a rough final 7 games of the routine season.
In spite of getting beaten in coverage a couple of times, Tennessee sophomore Henry Too Too had a game high 11 deals with, consisting of 2 for a loss versus Georgia. Through 3 games hes been the Vols finest player and I dont expect that to alter Saturday. You might keep in mind that in last years Kentucky video game, Too Too suffered a dislocated knee cap, however only missed out on a couple of plays. Its that kind of toughness the Vols need as the schedule kicks up a notch with Alabama concerning town next week.
We arent looking ahead. Its Kentucky week.
With a minimized docket, Tennessee will be difficult pressed to match the 8 success it got a year back. However to come close, they need to win the games on their schedule that they are anticipated to win, and after that pull an upset or 2 along the way. Kentucky is a team the Vols are expected to beat. It was that method under Phillip Fulmer, who went 16-0 versus the Cats. Even Lane Kiffin won this game in his lone conference while at Tennessee.
The grumblings will be loud in Big Orange Country if the Vols lose. But this is still Tennessee and its still Kentucky … and we understand what takes place a frustrating bulk of the time in this video game.
Im not going to overthink it.
Brave Prediction time …
Tennessee 24, Kentucky 13
