The Kentucky Wildcats visit Rocky Top to face the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night. This game has taken on huge implications, as Kentucky is firmly in the playoff picture, and the Vols are very much in range. Kentucky is 7-1 overall, and at 5-1 in conference play, they are tied with Georgia for first place. Everyone in the South thinks that is silly, but the fact of the matter is this Kentucky team is actually good. Good enough to win in Knoxville in front of 100,000+ Vol fans? That’s tough. The Vols are favored, but I am happy to take the points with the Wildcats at +6.5.
This Tennessee team has been an offensive wagon for several years, but this year it is the defense that defines it. Tennessee is elite against both the run and pass under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Don’t be surprised if this is a close, lower-scoring game. Kentucky has proved they can win on the road. Not only did they beat LSU at home, but they have road victories over South Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. These Wildcats are rightfully a top-10 team, and importantly, they are 7-1 against the spread. That means people still keep underestimating them, and given the way early money has come in for the Vols at -6.5, we might see this one tip over the key number of 7. If that happens, this is a hammer situation for the Wildcats. Even at +6.5, let’s trust a team that keeps getting it done.
Kentucky vs Tennessee prediction: Kentucky Wildcats +6.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to +3.5 (-110).
