The No. 19 University of Kentucky Wildcats (5-2, 2-2 SEC) travel to take on the No. 3 University of Tennessee Volunteers (7-0, 3-0 SEC) at Neyland Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits tremendous defense against outstanding offense. The Volunteers are 12.5-point favorites, and the total is 62.5.
Kentucky is coming off a 27-17 win over No. 16 Mississippi State at Kroger Field on October 15. Will Levis threw for 230 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Chris Rodriguez Jr. ran 31 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns.
Barion Brown caught seven passes for 62 yards. Tennessee won for the seventh straight game last Saturday, beating UT Martin 65-24 at Neyland Stadium. Hendon Hooker was 18 of 24 for 495 yards and three touchdowns. Dylan Sampson carried 13 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. Jalin Hyatt added two touchdowns of his own. He hauled in seven receptions for 174 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Volunteers won the only game between the teams last season, a 45-42 victory in November. Hendon Hooker threw four touchdowns for Tennessee. Will Levis tossed three touchdowns for Kentucky.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Wildcats are averaging 26.4 points per game for the season, 83rd in FBS, and they are facing a Volunteers defense that has surrendered 23.1 PPG (50th). Meanwhile, Tennessee has scored 50.1 points a game this season, best in the country, and Kentucky is allowing 16.4 PPG (9th).The Wildcats rank 52nd in the country in passing yards per game (260.3) and 109th in rushing (113.4).
They will be facing a tough test on the ground, as the Volunteers are ninth in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (91.0). Against the pass, Tennessee is 130th (329.7). Tennessee has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 368.9 passing yards per game (2nd), while ranking 24th in rushing yards (202.9).
Kentucky’s defense has been equally impressive through the air, as the Wildcats are 14th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (178.3). Against the run, the Wildcats are 27th (117.1).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through six games, Will Levis has thrown for 13 touchdowns (5 INT) and 272.5 yards per game to lead Kentucky in passing. In two away games this season, he has three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 211.0 yards passing. Chris Rodriguez Jr. leads the team in rushing with an average of 131.7 yards a game over three games.
He has three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Tayvion Robinson is the Wildcats’ leading receiver with 65.3 yards a game and three TDs. Hendon Hooker has 18 passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 299.0 yards per game through seven games to lead Tennessee. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 14 TDs (1 INT) and an average of 305.8 yards.
Jaylen Wright has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 57.9 yards a game through seven games. He has four touchdowns. Jalin Hyatt has been a star in the Volunteers’ passing game. He has 12 touchdowns and a 109.9 yard per game average through seven appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
Tennessee is looking to remain undefeated at home this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Tennessee (-450)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
