Tennessee football at Kentucky: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Wildcats
1. Who wins the rushing battle?
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In raw numbers, Tennessee football has a massive advantage. The Vols are No. 13 in the nation and No. 4 in the SEC in rushing yards per game with 226.1, while Kentucky is No. 56 in the nation at 175.2 yards per game. However, a deeper look at the numbers paints a much different picture.
Kentucky is No. 30 in rush yards per carry with 5.03, while the Vols are down No. 34 at 4.94. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s rush defense is No. 23 in raw totals, allowing 115.9 yards a game, and No. 33 in rush yards allowed per carry at 3.59. UT’s rush defense is No. 61 in raw numbers, allowing 144.1 yards a game, and No. 34 in efficiency, allowing 3.63 yards per carry.
So these teams are actually pretty evenly matched. Anecdotally, though, it’s a different story. The Vols’ rush averages are skewed because of the sacks they allow, being No. 123 nationally and dead last in the SEC in preventing sacks, allowing 3.5 a game. Kentucky, though, is just mediocre at sacking the quarterback, getting 2 a game, ranked No. 76 nationally.
Then you look at the Vols’ inability to contain the quarterback. Matt Corral ran for 195 yards on them, and Bryce Young more than doubled his best rushing performance by rushing for over 40 yards. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis ran for 75 yards against LSU, so he can be deadly there.
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Taking all this into account, Kentucky seems to have the advantage. However, it’s clear this game will come down to who can run the ball better, particularly in the cold. If Tennessee football can get back to establishing the run under Josh Heupel, the Vols will be in control. They need to be healthy and able to do that early, though.