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Tennessee Volunteers vs Kentucky Wildcats Game Preview
The Tennessee Volunteers enter Saturday’s Week 9 clash against the Kentucky Wildcats needing a strong finish to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. The game kicks off at 7:45 PM ET from Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky, and will be broadcast on SECN.
Tennessee comes in ranked No. 17 nationally with a 5-2 record (2-2 SEC), while Kentucky sits at 2-4 (0-4 SEC) after a string of tough losses against top-tier conference opponents. The Volunteers hold a commanding all-time series lead, 84-26-9, and have won 26 straight meetings between 1985 and 2010.
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Tennessee Moneyline: -354
Kentucky Moneyline: +276
Tennessee Spread: -9.5 (-110)
Kentucky Spread: +9.5 (-111)
Total Over/Under: 54.5 (-110)
The Volunteers opened as heavy road favorites, reflecting their top-25 ranking and consistent offensive production. Early sharp money has shown slight interest in the under, with Tennessee’s defense expected to pressure Kentucky’s young quarterback.
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Matchup Breakdown
The Volunteers’ offense is powered by senior quarterback Joey Aguilar, who has passed for 1,948 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions while adding two rushing scores. Running back DeSean Bishop (604 yards, seven TDs) and wideout Chris Brazzell II (602 yards, seven TDs) continue to deliver explosive plays in Heupel’s up-tempo scheme.
Tennessee’s offense ranks second in the nation in total points (309) and first downs (186), while its defense sits fourth in sacks with 25. This combination of offensive rhythm and defensive pressure has allowed the Vols to dominate field position throughout the season.
Kentucky, meanwhile, will lean on redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley, who threw for 258 yards in a 16-13 overtime loss to Texas. Despite an ankle injury, Boley’s poise in the pocket has impressed head coach Mark Stoops. Running back Seth McGowan leads the Wildcats with 476 rushing yards and seven scores, while receiver Kendrick Law adds reliability with 22 catches for 199 yards.
Kentucky’s defense remains a bright spot, ranking 19th nationally in sacks and seventh in interceptions, a key factor if they hope to slow Tennessee’s aerial attack.
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Key Storylines
Tennessee is 14-2 straight up after a loss in its last 16 games, showing remarkable resilience under Josh Heupel. The Vols are also 6-1 over/under as favorites across their last seven contests, indicating their scoring consistency.
For Kentucky, the focus is on converting defensive stops into offensive success. The Wildcats have covered the spread in seven of their last ten games as underdogs and are 4-0 ATS when totals exceed 50 points. Stoops’ defense must contain Tennessee’s tempo early to keep this one within reach.
Expect physical play in the trenches — both teams pride themselves on strong line play and controlling time of possession.
Injury Report
Tennessee Volunteers:
Jermod McCoy (knee) is out, while Rickey Gibson III (undisclosed) also remains sidelined. Tight end Ethan Davis (undisclosed) and receivers Travis Smith Jr. and Radarious Jackson are questionable, potentially limiting depth in the passing attack.
Kentucky Wildcats:
Tight end Elijah Brown (undisclosed) and several defenders — DJ Waller Jr., Nasir Addison, and Devin Smith — are listed as questionable. Running back Jamarion Wilcox is away due to personal reasons, and linebacker Jacob Smith along with defensive lineman Nic Smith are also questionable heading into Saturday.
Prediction
Tennessee’s depth, pace, and efficiency should prove too much for a banged-up Kentucky squad still searching for its first SEC win. Joey Aguilar’s accuracy and DeSean Bishop’s explosiveness provide the Vols the edge in what could be a statement rebound after the Alabama loss.
Projected Score: Tennessee 34, Kentucky 20
Best Bet: Tennessee -9.5 (-110)
Secondary Lean: Under 54.5 (-110)
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