Playing the what-if game is never healthy for anyone after a loss, but had DeSean Bishop not gotten hurt late against South Carolina... yeah, maybe we shouldn't think about the Vols potentially being 7-1 instead. However, Bishop was clearly in a ton of pain, and the timing of the bye week could not have been more perfect for him.
Despite that, there had been worry that maybe he suffered an injury that would keep him sidelined for a few weeks. Thankfully that's not the case.
While meeting with the media this week, head man Josh Heupel confirmed that Bishop is a little banged up, but that he's slowly but surely working his way back. For now, the expectation is that he'll be suited up, ready to make plays for the Vols once No. 9 Kentucky gets to town on Nov. 7.
Tennessee will need a fully healthy DeSean Bishop to humble Kentucky and Will Stein
Before getting hurt in Columbia, Bishop was dominating like usual, recording 32 carries for 120 yards, and a touchdown. Unfortunately, he took a hard hit in the fourth quarter, resulting in him being off the field on the crucial fourth-down play that George MacIntyre messed up.
That loss is in the past, though, and now all of the focus has to be on the season-defining contest against Kentucky. With a win, the Vols will flirt with a spot back in the top 10, while keeping its College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Tennessee HC Josh Heupel:
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) October 28, 2026
"DeSean is a massive part of our football team. Has played at a really high level. He's got a chance to heal up this week, too, and we're going to need him at his best."
Bishop is already closing in on another 1,000-yard season for the Vols, with 957 yards to his name already. The 11 touchdowns have been incredible to see as well.
While G-Mac continues to get better with each week, there's no shot that Heupel is going to solely rely on the pass game against the Wildcats. Bishop will hear his number called early and often with Tennessee hoping to take down the No. 9 team in the nation.
Everyone has seen an incredible turnaround for Kentucky with Stein now running the show. Let's be real here; no one expected the Wildcats to be ranked in the top 10 at this point of the year. However, this team is looking sharp on both sides of the ball, and UK could care less about the Vols being 8-2 in the last 10 matchups against one another.
Still, Neyland Stadium has not been kind to Kentucky in recent years, and with this being a night game, the Vols supporters in the stands are going to remind the UK players of just how difficult an environment it is to play in Knoxville. This is simply something that Tennessee is going to have to take full advantage of.
If Bishop is close to 100 percent, it's only going to help Tennessee's chances of improving to 7-2 once Week 10 is all wrapped up. Sure, the loss to South Carolina still stings, but taking care of business against Kentucky will get things moving in the right direction once again.
If Bishop is ready to rock, give him the ball 25-30 times and let him do his thing. If that happens, it'll end up being a long day at the office for the Wildcats defense.
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