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Tennessee football vs. Kentucky: 10 keys for Vols and Wildcats

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks to throw during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks to throw during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Oct 10, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Terry Wilson (3) runs with the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2020; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Terry Wilson (3) runs with the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Kentucky’s rushing attack vs. Tennessee’s defensive line

While the Kentucky Wildcats lead the league in interceptions because of one game, they have consistently had the best rushing attack in the SEC. Given the way Mark Stoops has built his team, it’s really all they have.

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UK is averaging over 212 yards on the ground per game. The closest team to them in the SEC is the Ole Miss Rebels, who are averaging just over 192 yards per game. Individually, quarterback Terry Wilson is sixth in the league in rushing with 221 yards. Running backs Christopher Rodriguez Jr. and Asim Rose are 10th and 12th with 184 and 170 yards respectively.

Simply put, the Wildcats have a three-headed monster, and their entire offense is based around this rushing attack, which allows them to then air it out Josh Ali. It all starts with the rush, and that’s where Tennessee football’s defense is at its best.

The Vols have the fifth best rush defense in the SEC, allowing under three and a half yards a carry. Now, Kentucky has a better rush defense, but the balance in UT’s offense makes it not as big of a deal. UT’s defensive line proved itself last week with a 4th and 1 stop and a goal-line stand.

They had a goal-line stand against the Wildcats last year as well. Inside linebackers Henry To’o To’o, Quavaris Crouch and Jeremy Banks have issues in coverage, but they are solid run-stoppers. Kivon Bennett and Deandre Johnson are great off the edges and could contain Wilson.

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So which one will give way? Will Tennessee football’s elite rush defense or Kentucky’s elite rushing attack win the day? The one that comes through more will dictate the flow of the game, and that’s the most important key to this game.

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