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

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel during the second half of the game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Are Vols focused on Kentucky enough with them coming off a bye?

It’s safe to say morale has never been higher for Tennessee football. The Vols are two weeks removed from their greatest win of maybe the century, and they are now No. 3 in both polls with a legitimate shot at the College Football Playoff. Keeping them humble and their confidence in check is a big deal.

Beyond avoiding overconfidence, though, as a two-loss Kentucky team heads to Knoxville, is making sure they are focused. Next week could be the biggest regular season game they have ever played in, at least the highest combined ranking of a regular season game they have ever played in, when they visit the Georgia Bulldogs.

That game could determine who wins the SEC East. However, to get there, they have to focus on Kentucky. Let’s not forget this is a ranked team, and Mark Stoops’ team is coming off a bye, so he has had plenty of time to prepare for the Vols and could catch them off guard with some plays.

As a result, Kentucky is more dangerous than they are given credit for, and if the Vols aren’t careful, everything they have worked for could be derailed. They can’t sleepwalk through this one the way they could against the UT-Martin Skyhawks. Josh Heupel needs his guys ready.

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