The season has been rough for Tennessee football to say the least. They head to Kentucky on Saturday still looking for their first conference win of the season.
If you are a Tennessee fan, all I have to say to you is I’m sorry. This season has been a roller coaster of emotions for those in Orange and White, none of them particularly good. Now with starting running back John Kelly suspended for the upcoming match up with Kentucky, things look pretty grim.
It has been more than a month- 14 quarters- since Tennessee scored an offensive touchdown and that isn’t likely to change soon. The Vols may have won 31 of the last 32 meetings between the two teams, but this may be the year of the Wildcat.
Without their best offensive player, Tennessee is likely doomed from the first snap. However, if you’re a Wildcat fan or enjoy watching Tennessee’s demise, here is how you can watch the match up.
Date: Saturday October 28
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Lexington, KY
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium
Channel: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
For Kentucky, it is seemingly easy. They will need to establish their offense early and often against a Tennessee team whose offense is seemingly nonexistent. They will need to get their defense going though because giving up almost 400 yards a game may not get them a win. Even with Tennessee’s lack of offensive fire power, that is concerning for anyone.
If Tennessee wants to pull off the upset, they will need to find a way to shut down quarterback Stephen Johnson and company who have been putting up an average of 336 yards a game. Without star running back John Kelly, it is up to their defense to give the Vols a chance at victory.
Prediction
This will be the year that Kentucky comes out on top and it won’t be pretty. Tennessee will get their first touchdown in over a month, but that is all they’ll get. Running back Benny Snell will score at least two times and Stephen Johnson will add two more passing touchdowns to his resume.
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This game may be the final nail in Butch Jones’ coffin as the Kentucky Wildcats fight to stay relevant in the SEC East. Right now, it is the Georgia Bulldogs show and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon, but who knows. Crazier things have happened.
Final Score: Kentucky 28, Tennessee 7