Tennessee football opens a November to either remember or forget with a top-15 matchup against Kentucky on Nov. 7 at Neyland Stadium
The Vols (6-2, 3-2 SEC) lost at South Carolina two weeks ago on a last-second field goal, earning a second SEC loss before the final month of the season.
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Kentucky (7-1, 5-1) is also coming off of an open date and has a clear path to the SEC Championship Game and the CFP. First-year coach Will Stein has molded his roster into a team that limits its mistakes and maximizes other teams’ turnovers.
UK has beaten Tennessee in Knoxville once since 1984, the 2020 win in front of a COVID-limited crowd at Neyland.
Here are Knox News’ staff predictions for Tennessee-Kentucky:
Tennessee-Kentucky expert predictions
Adam Sparks, UT beat reporter: Tennessee 28, Kentucky 24
The Vols can certainly beat themselves against the most disciplined team in the SEC. Kentucky leads the league in turnover margin and fewest penalties. But UT can take control of this game by winning the line of scrimmage. That means DeSean Bishop earns bruising yards and UT’s defensive line collapses the pocket around Kenny Minchey. Give Tennessee the edge because of the overwhelming atmosphere of Neyland Stadium in a night game in dark mode.
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Emmett Siegel, UT beat reporter: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 20
The Vols still have to find something in their passing game, which is statistically the worst in the SEC. Even if that doesn’t come to fruition, though, Tennessee’s rushing attack and defense have been good enough to beat the toughest teams on its schedule.
Perhaps the open week helped Tennessee clean up some of last game’s mistakes before playing a team that doesn’t make many. Playing at home could push it over the top.
Cora Hall, UT beat reporter: Kentucky 27, Tennessee 24
Both teams are had a week off and are rested going into this matchup, and the Wildcats have proven they can will their way to a win when it matters. The Vols will get close, but they’ve been too inconsistent to bet on a win here.
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Stephen Thompson, UT beat reporter: Tennessee 17, Kentucky 13
I’ve surrendered to the idea that George MacIntyre is who he is, at least for now. But Tennessee’s defense is as good as any in the country and the Neyland effect will be a difference maker in another ugly, but tight win for the Vols.
Wynton Jackson, sports reporter: Tennessee 26, Kentucky 21
The Vols likely need to be perfect throughout the rest of the season to reach the College Football Playoff. Coming off the bye, that road starts with an unexpected matchup against No. 7 Kentucky. The Wildcats have solid wins, but a trip to Neyland with a national spotlight brings heightened pressure.
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John Adams, columnist: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 20
The Wildcats have a better record and a higher national ranking than the Vols. Moreover, Kentucky is clearly headed in the right direction under first-year coach Will Stein.
But history tells us that Tennessee is always the wrong direction for Kentucky football, which has lost 38 of the previous 41 games in the series.
Gentry Estes, Tennessean columnist: Tennessee 23, Kentucky 14
Props to the Wildcats on a great season, but it just feels like they are due for a letdown in a tough rivalry road game. Neyland should be jumping for this one.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football vs Kentucky picks: Vols don’t lose to Wildcats in Knoxville, right?
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