KSR Staff Predictions: Kentucky vs. Tennessee

Your University of Kentucky Wildcats head to the unfriendly surroundings of Neyland Stadium on Saturday to play the seventh-ranked Tennessee Vols in a losing effort. Kentucky is desperate for a win after three straight losses, while the Vols are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive in Knoxville with a third straight win since losing a game at Arkansas last month.

Before the rivalry game begins along the Tennessee River, here are KSR's predictions for the Wildcats vs. the Vols. The mood at the KSR headquarters is not high.

Drew Franklin

I'm afraid this will hurt. Tennessee has one of the best defenses in our country and we all know what Kentucky's offense looks like. It doesn't feel like the Wildcats' game is going to be a sudden turnaround, especially given the circumstances in Knoxville. It's a late start – Tennessee fans love that – and it's a Dark Mode themed game. I'd like to be surprised, but I can't predict a positive outcome for Big Blue.

I would say the defense is active in the beginning to keep Tennessee's offense off the field, then things get going in the second half. Tennessee traditionally wins another win in the series.

Result: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 9

Adam Luckett

This Kentucky football team probably has another rallying moment ahead of it, but I'm not sure it will come this Saturday night in Knoxville. Tennessee has a top-five defense, owns this series and will be playing against a Kentucky defense with some serious injury issues.

The Wildcats are dealing with a strange QB controversy and will have a very difficult time locking down Tennessee's front. Meanwhile, Kentucky still has to solve the offensive puzzle surrounding Josh Heupel, and that will likely result in another early deficit in front of a raucous crowd at Neyland Stadium.

A healthy Kentucky defense is good enough to cause some problems for a Tennessee offense with some real limitations in the passing game, but that's not a healthy Kentucky defense. The away team hangs on in the first half before a second half turnover or a short field turn the game around after halftime, allowing Tennessee to cover another lead in this series.

Score: Tennessee 30, Kentucky 7

Zack Geoghegan

Welp, here we go again… This could get ugly. As mentioned above, Kentucky is struggling on defense and has lacked offensive depth all season. Tennessee's offense may not be as lethal as it was under Josh Heupel, but the defense is pretty darn good. UK has never scored more than 20 points in an SEC game this season. Betting on it happening away against a top 10 team in a turbulent environment is irresponsible gambling and warrants a call to the hotline.

But Mark Stoop's teams always seem to show up when I'm almost completely checked out. I still expect Tennessee to win, but it will be closer than expected by the fourth quarter.

Result: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 13

Jack Pilgrim

It's just the way it is at the moment. The wheels are falling off and there aren't many signs of hope in this building, certainly not to close out this disastrous season. Three straight SEC losses and a 1-5 start in league play with two top-10 opponents on the road in the last four games suggest things will get worse before they get better. And that doesn't even take into account the 16-man injury report, which has 12 players out and five starters.

Kentucky hasn't even figured out its quarterback situation eight games into the season, while the defense will have to pull off a Charmin soft effort against Auburn. In the spirit of Halloween week, things will be more spooky than spooky for the Cats at Neyland Stadium. You'll see plenty of ghosts in a sea of ​​black and orange during another collapse.

Score: Tennessee 31, Kentucky 6

Nick Roush

Kentucky has already defeated a team with a similar profile to Tennessee. The problem is, this isn't the same Kentucky football team that went to Ole Miss, made the Rebels one-dimensional, and made just enough plays at the end of the game to get a W.

Tennessee has trailed at halftime in three straight games without scoring a touchdown. Nico Iamaleava was fine, but inconsistent. There is a recipe for success for Kentucky, but unfortunately the Cats will be the cure for Tennessee.

As much as I want to leave Knoxville with a black eye for disgustingly celebrating a shocking Kentucky win, this defense is too banged up to slow down Dylan Sampson and Nico will look like Peyton Freaking Manning. As for the British offensive, good luck. The mismatch between Kentucky's offense and Tennessee's defense is as drastic as I can remember. Things are probably going to get ugly in Knoxville.

Result: Tennessee 38, Kentucky 6

Kentucky vs. Tennessee: How to Watch and Listen

You can also keep up with the game and chat with other fans in our game thread KSBoardwith Nick Roush and Adam Luckett providing updates from Neyland Stadium and the rest of us from home.