The Tennessee Volunteers (4-4, 2-3 SEC) face off against the #18 Kentucky Wildcats (6-2, 4-2 SEC) in a pivotal SEC East showdown between the Vols and Wildcats. After suffering a 52-24 loss to Alabama, Tennessee enjoyed a bye week while the Wildcats dropped their second straight to Mississippi State, 31-17.
Saturday night’s SEC contest kickoff is scheduled at 7 p.m. EST inside Kroger Field in Lexington, KY. The Wildcats are a one-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 57 points.
What to Know – Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee is looking to get back in the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to Alabama and Ole Miss. The Vols are fighting to become bowl eligible after missing out last season. After traveling to Lexington, Tennessee hosts the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs at home next week.
Tennessee’s offense is one of the best in the SEC, scoring 37.4 points and averaging 457.1 yards of offense per game. Since taking over the starting quarterback duties, Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker has thrown 17 touchdowns to only two interceptions and added four touchdowns on the ground.
Tiyon Evans paces the Vols on the ground, averaging 6.4 yards per carry this season. Tennessee features a pair of wide receivers with over 400 yards receiving in Velus Jones Jr. and Cedric Tillman.
The Vols are 5-11 against the spread over their last 16 games and 3-5 ATS this season. The total has gone over in five of Tennessee’s previous seven contests.
What to Know – Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats began the season 6-0 and rose into the top 10 before dropping contests to Georgia and Mississippi State back-to-back. A win against Tennessee gives the Wildcats an excellent shot to finish second in the SEC East with only Vanderbilt remaining on the schedule in conference play.
Kentucky’s offense averages 27.0 points and 366.3 yards per game under the quarterbacking duties of Will Lewis. Lewis has one of the top playmakers in the league on his side in wideout Wan’Dale Robinson. Robinson has caught 58 passes for 645 yards and five touchdowns this season and is a focal point of the Wildcats’ offense.
On the ground, Kentucky uses the combo of Christian Rodriguez Jr. and Kavosiey Smoke to churn out 175.3 yards on the ground per game. Rodriguez Jr. has 809 yards and five touchdowns, while Smoke has chipped in 296 yards and one score.
Kentucky is 4-1 ATS over their last five games and 6-2 ATS this year. The Wildcats are 1-6 ATS over their last seven games when hosting the Vols.
The Pick is In
Saturday’s contest features two teams that are both looking for a win after consecutive losses. The Wildcats’ have a strong defense and sluggish offense, while Tennesee showcases a potent offense and lacking defense.
There should be a lot of back-and-forth in this one, but we like Tennessee to pull out the victory on the road over the Wildcats.
