Kentucky (3-5, 1-5) faces one of its toughest tests of the season tonight at Neyland Stadium. The seventh-ranked Tennessee Vols (6-1, 3-1) are in serious playoff contention, looking to strengthen their case with a statement win against the Wildcats.
The 7:45 p.m. start time will play into the Vols’ hands as Tennessee hosts this year’s border rivalry having won all but two home games against Kentucky since 1977. The odds favor the Vols, but crazier things have happened. Let’s run through the things to know before kickoff under the Neyland lights.
How To Watch/Listen
Join The Discussion over at KSBoard
Consider joining the conversation on KSBoard if you want to interact with the KSR crew during the game. A live discussion can be found in the game thread, plus several other topics and conversations about the Wildcats and more.
Team Records/Results
Kentucky (3-5, 1-5)
- vs Southern Miss – W (31-0)
- vs South Carolina – L (31-6)
- vs #1 Georgia – L (13-12)
- vs Ohio – W (41-6)
- @ Ole Miss – W (20-17)
- vs Vanderbilt – L (20-13)
- @ Florida – L (48-20)
- vs Auburn – L (24-10)
- @ 7 Tennessee
#7 Tennessee (6-1, 3-1)
- vs Chattanooga – W (69-3)
- vs 24 NC State – W (51-10)
- vs Kent State – W (71-0)
- @ 15 Oklahoma – W (25-15)
- @ Arkansas – L (19-14)
- vs Florida – W (23-17 OT)
- vs 7 Alabama – W (24-17)
- vs Kentucky – W
Official Injury/Availability Reports
KENTUCKY
- Maxwell Hairston | DB | Out
- Jantzen Dunn | DB | Out
- Darrion Henry-Young | DL | Out
- Gerald Mincey | OL | Out
- Josaih Hayes | DL | Out
- Chip Trayanum | RB | Out
- Steven Soles Jr. | OLB | Out
- Jordan Dingle | TE | Out
- D’Eryk Jackson | LB | Out
- J.J. Weaver | OLB | Out
- Quay’sheed Scott | DB | Out
- Jayvant Brown | LB | Out
- DJ Waller Jr. | DB | Probable
- Deone Walker | DT | Probable
- Tavion Gadson | DL | Probable
- Demie Sumo-Karngbaye | RB | Probable
TENNESSEE
- Keenan Pili | LB | Out
- Jourdan Thomas | DB | Out
- Edwin Spillman | LB | Out
- Caleb Herring | DL | Questionable
- William Satterwhite | OL | Probable
Week 10 Depth Charts
Five Pregame Storylines
- Polar opposites: These two teams are in two completely different places on November 2. One is squarely in the playoff hunt, while the other is in desperation mode, trying to salvage a season that has been full of disappointment so far.
- Elite defense vs. horrendous offense: Tennessee ranks third nationally in total defense (259 ypg) and scoring defense (11.6 ppg), whereas Kentucky’s offense is among the worst nationally, ranked 121 of 134 FBS teams, scoring 19.1 points per game.
- A QB change?: In a bizarre turn of events, Kentucky wouldn’t name a starting QB in the week leading up to today’s game. We could see Brock Vandagriff or Gavin Wimsatt, or both. Stoops said, “I don’t necessarily need to give that information away right now.“
- “Dark Mode“: If the late start wasn’t enough to stack the deck for the Vols, Tennessee threw in a “Dark Mode” theme for the rivalry game.
- Tennessee at Neyland Stadium: Tennessee is outstanding in home games under Josh Heupel. The Vols are 20-0 as the betting favorite in Neyland, and 14-6 against the spread in those games.
Uniform Combination
Kentucky will wear its chrome dome with all-white uniforms.
Gamble
Point Spread: Tennessee -17.5
Over/Under: 45.5
Moneyline: -950/+625
Mark Stoops on Thursday
Pregame Link Dump
KSR’s Staff Predictions
Read the explanations behind the predictions.
