NFL Tickets
TV Schedule: Saturday, October 31, 7:30 p.m. ET, SECN
Stadium: Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, Ky.
Line: Tennessee (-9)
Despite Kentucky (4-3) having a better record, Tennessee (3-4) enters their matchup Saturday as the favorite after the Volunteers’ stunning win over a No. 19-ranked Georgia two weeks ago. Although they’re coming off a loss to Alabama (19-14), they’ll have more confidence heading into this game than the Wildcats.
Tennessee started this season ranked in the top 25 but quickly dropped out after a Week 2 loss to a No. 19-ranked Oklahoma at home. The Volunteers couldn’t pull out a win despite sending the game into two overtimes and lost 31-24. They followed up that loss with a win against Western Carolina but then lost a heartbreaker at Florida 28-27.
Tennessee was leading by 13 in the fourth quarter when Florida found some extra juice and erased the deficit. Tennessee had a chance to win with a field goal with three seconds on the clock, but the kick went wide right by less than a foot. It was so close, Tennessee players and coaches started celebrating the win before they realized the kick was no good.
It was the second time this season that Tennessee had blown a double-digit lead (against Oklahoma), and it dropped their confidence so much they lost the next week to a struggling Arkansas team.
The season looked to be over for the Volunteers, especially in anticipation of their matchups with Georgia and Alabama. But then, Georgia’s starting RB and one-time Heisman favorite Nick Chubb suffered an injury on the first play of the game against Tennessee. The Vols were able to capitalize on Georgia’s distraction and came out on top 38-31.
Despite losing last week to a No. 8-ranked Alabama, the Vols showed some determination and grit in the loss. Tennessee even led at some points, but Alabama proved to be too much.
Meanwhile, Kentucky has won two conference games (Missouri and South Carolina) and even pulled out a win against a ranked team (Missouri). However, they lost a close one to a struggling Auburn at home and were routed by Mississippi State last week.
Despite winning more conference games, Kentucky won’t have as much confidence as Tennessee since their two wins came against struggling teams and their last two games resulted in losses. However, the Wildcats are 3-2 at home this season and won’t want to add any more losses to that record.
Momentum will be a huge factor in this matchup of two mediocre SEC teams, but it seems to be in Tennessee’s favor this time. It probably won’t be the most thrilling game this weekend, but it should be fun to watch anyway.
Prediction: Tennessee 32, Kentucky 24
Hannah Fields is a Tennessee Titans and SEC Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @hanfran7, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
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