Tennessee Football: 3 takeaways from disappointing loss to Kentucky

Tennessee football, after falling to Georgia, was ready for an easy and predictable win. That isn’t what happened though. What did we learn?

The Volunteers were expecting just another win against Kentucky at home, something they have been doing since 1984. However, that isn’t at all what happened here as it became what the announcer would call a “Big Blue Beatdown” on Saturday afternoon with Kentucky winning 34-7 in Knoxville.

What did we learn from this matchup?

3. Kentucky’s defense could win it some big games

Kentucky’s defense did exactly what was expected of them by the coaching staff in Lexington, but for some reason after the six interception performance against Mississippi State — not what was expected by the likes of the media and the fans.

Tennessee fans were sure that their offense, led mostly by the running game because of quarterback play that we will talk about later. That isn’t what went down though as the Kentucky defense had other ideas.

Kentucky’s defense grabbed two interceptions that turned into pick-sixes and then were able to force a fumble of Jarrett Guarantano and another interception of J.T. Shrout. They were there at the line many times and were able to make those game-changing stops when Tennessee was putting together a drive that won them the game.

They did allow 175 yards on the ground, something that will definitely have to be fixed going forward, but overall things are looking up after losing to Ole Miss by a missed extra point.