It's on to Week 10. After Tennessee suffered its deflating loss to South Carolina, the Vols and head man Josh Heupel are on a BYE this week, which quite frankly could not have arrived at a better time. This group needs to get healthy, while also refocusing a bit. In terms of that focus, the Vols will have to be at their best with No. 9 Kentucky headed to Knoxville on Nov. 7.
Leading up to that kickoff, though, it looks like the oddsmakers are feeling a bit confident that the Vols will wipe away that loss to SC with a win over a Top 10 side. Tennessee has opened favored by 5.5 points over Will Stein and Co. per the FanDuel Sportsbook, This is a bit of a surprise, but with the history between these two teams, maybe more of the same will be on the way for this night clash at Neyland.
Tennessee football has opened as a 5.5-point favorite vs. Kentucky in Week 10
In the last 10 games of this 'rivalry,' Tennessee is 8-2. There's a lot of 'big bro' energy here over what has happened during the last 10 dances, but it's important to remember that Kentucky football is no longer being anchored down by Mark Stoops. Instead, Stein has become a total rock star in Year 1 over in Lexington.
Both on offense and defense, the Wildcats look like a completely different team, which is something the Vols are going to have to overcome. Both teams are off in Week 9, too, meaning the Vols and Wildcats will be equally rested for this blockbuster SEC tilt.
The main advantage Tennessee will have is obviously that over 100,000 people will be ready to bring the house down at Neyland. The 6:15 p.m. kickoff means an awesome night-game environment will be on the way as well. That could prove to be a recipe for disaster for Kentucky.
Sold out vs. Kentucky.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 26, 2026
That makes 33 straight sellouts.#GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/rDa4clHTyw
However, that's all going to be meaningless unless the Vols regroup mentally to wipe away the infuriating mistakes that were on full display on the road against the Gamecocks. Throughout practice and during film sessions, Heupel and his staff will be on the grind to make sure the double-digit penalties don't get repeated in Week 10.
We can talk your ear off about the three touchdowns that were called back due to flags hitting the turf, but instead, Tennessee needs to ensure those kinds of silly errors don't continue to be a problem. They can't be, as the Vols are one loss away from seeing any hope of reaching the College Football Playoff being wiped away.
At 6-2, Tennessee still has a chance to sneak in if it can win its last four games. Matchups with Kentucky, LSU, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt remain on the schedule. There's no looking ahead to Week 11, however, as everyone's mind has to be on the Wildcats. Sure, the Vols are the favorites to win, but if any kind of a window is open for Kentucky to make the Vols pay for mental lapses, there's no doubt that Stein's players will make the Vols pay for it. Can't happen. And hopefully, it won't happen, as Tennessee is in do-or-die mode from now until late November.
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