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Tennessee football: Ranking games on 2021 schedule by difficulty

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: The Tennessee Volunteers celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: The Tennessee Volunteers celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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A view of the Kroger Field ahead of a game between Kentucky and Tennessee in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.Kns Kentucky Vols Football
A view of the Kroger Field ahead of a game between Kentucky and Tennessee in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.Kns Kentucky Vols Football /

6. At Kentucky Wildcats

Saturday, Nov. 6; Kroger Field; Lexington, Ky.

A 34-7 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats in 2020 was the start of the downfall for Tennessee football under Jeremy Pruitt. The Vols fell to 2-2 at that point and continued on what would become a six-game losing streak after a loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. It really began the chaos for the program and made fans less upset about Jeremy Pruitt being fired.

Now, with the Vols having to travel to Kentucky this year, things should be even tougher. Mark Stoops went an impressive 4-6 in SEC play last year with what was supposed to be a rebuilding team, and he then won the Gator Bowl to finish 5-6.

This year, the Wildcats return 12 starters, but Stoops has proven his ability to reload by this point and maintain consistency within the program. As a result, Kentucky will be a tough game for the Vols and is the first one on here in which we expect them to be underdogs.

Given what happened last year and the fact that this is a road game, we could have had UK higher on the list. However, last year notwithstanding, it’s a historical fact that the Vols always have the advantage over the Wildcats. Also, they will be coming off a bye for this game, and the rest will work heavily in their favor.

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