Tennessee @ Kentucky preview

Tennessee at Kentucky

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2010 ) Kentucky 14, Tennessee 24

THE STORY: Tennessee hasn’t lost to Kentucky since 1984, but this year, there’s more on the line than a 26-game win streak. With a victory over the Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium, the Volunteers would earn bowl eligibility for the 50th time in school history. Last week, Tennessee defeated Vanderbilt 27-21 in overtime thanks to Eric Gordon’s 90-yard interception return in the first OT. As for Kentucky, it enters after losing three of four and falling 19-10 to No. 13 Georgia. This will be the 107th meeting between these schools. The Volunteers hold a 74-23-9 advantage in the all-time series and won most recently, 24-14 in 2010.

TV: SEC Network. LINE: Tennessee -7.5.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (5-6, 1-6 SEC): Quarterback Tyler Bray, who has passed for 1,768 yards and 18 touchdowns, will make his second start since missing five games due to injury. Bray has been an offensive catalyst for Tennessee and has thrown for three or more touchdowns in four of his six starts. Last time out, he threw for 189 yards and two scores in the win over the Commodores. His top target, Da’Rick Rogers, has totaled 1,002 receiving yards and nine touchdowns for the Volunteers, who struggle on the ground and average less than 93 yards. So far, Tennessee hasn’t performed well on the road and has been outscored 119-36 in its three losses.

ABOUT KENTUCKY (4-7, 1-6 SEC): Kentucky created four turnovers and limited the Bulldogs to 317 total yards, which was their second lowest total of the season, but still fell short because of offensive inefficiency. The Wildcats, who average less than 17 points, are led by quarterback Maxwell Smith and wide receiver La’Rod King. Smith, a freshman, has started the last three games for Kentucky and has thrown for 819 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Meanwhile, King leads the team with 39 receptions, 596 yards and seven scores. Defensively, the Wildcats allow more than 26 points and 386 yards, including more than 194 on the ground.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tennessee has won 28 consecutive regular season finales.

2. Four of the last seven games in the series have been decided by six points or fewer.

3. Under coach Joker Phillips, Kentucky is 7-1 when its defense wins the turnover margin.

PREDICTION: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 17 – Kentucky has been playing much better as of late, but too much is on the line for Tennessee to take this game lightly.