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Tennessee football vs. Kentucky: Keys to the game for Vols and Wildcats

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images /

9. Kentucky’s morale after Georgia loss

Getting blown out by the Georgia Bulldogs likely did not just wreck the confidence of the Kentucky Wildcats. It may have wrecked their morale as well. Sure, it was supposed to happen, but after so many close wins, they had to believe for a second they can pull it out.

And losing in a blowout didn’t just wake them up to reality. It means that they can’t win the SEC East now, which they were really thinking about. With the East out of play and a bowl game already locked up, what is there for this team to play for?

Tennessee football has already taken advantage of this once before. Against the Auburn Tigers, they cashed in on facing a team that had just blown a chance at the SEC West with its second conference loss the week before. That propelled the Vols to a huge upset.

Now, UT also took advantage of having a bye week and playing Auburn at noon, or 11 a.m. their time. But they still pulled out the win, and there are some advantages working for them this week, including getting Kentucky at home.

So how is Mark Stoops going to have his team motivated to play? To be fair to them, they still have a chance at 10 wins and a Top 25 finish. That’s something to celebrate and worth still playing for. But their major goal of the East is gone, and their other goal of a bowl is already locked up. With the news of the East being gone only a week old, UT maybe able to cash in again on low morale.

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