No. 12 Kentucky seeks 1st road win over Tennessee since 1984

Published

No. 12 Kentucky (7-2, 5-2 SEC, No. 11 CFP) at Tennessee (4-5, 1-4), 3:30 p.m. EST (SEC Network)

Line: Kentucky by 6.

Series record: Tennessee leads 79-25-9

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Kentucky has lost to Tennessee in Knoxville 16 straight times and is seeking its first road victory over the Volunteers since 1984. Kentucky wants to keep alive its shot at a 10-2 regular season, as the Wildcats haven't posted double-digit wins in a season since 1977. Tennessee must win two of its final three games to become bowl eligible.

KEY MATCHUP

Tennessee offensive line vs. Kentucky defensive line: Tennessee shuffled its offensive line last week and still rushed for only 20 yards on 26 carries in a 14-3 victory over Charlotte last week. The Vols must find some answers up front as they attempt to protect QB Jarrett Guarantano and contain SEC sacks leader Josh Allen.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kentucky: RB Benny Snell Jr. is the first Kentucky player ever to rush for over 1,000 yards three times. He leads the SEC this season with 1,008 yards rushing. Snell ran for 180 yards and three touchdowns in Kentucky's 29-26 victory over Tennessee last season.

Tennessee: Guarantano ranks fourth in the SEC in passing efficiency (146.49) and completion percentage (.656). He has been intercepted only twice all season. Guarantano has thrown seven touchdown passes without an interception over his last four games.

FACTS & FIGURES

Kentucky is allowing just 15.3 points per game to rank eighth among all FBS teams in scoring defense. The Wildcats were leading the nation in scoring defense before their 34-17 loss to No. 5 Georgia (No. 5 CFP) last week. ... Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops are both former Florida State defensive coordinators. Stoops filled that role from 2010-12 before taking the Kentucky job. Pruitt was Florida State's defensive coordinator in 2013. ... Tennessee has won 31 of the last 33 meetings in this series but is trying to avoid its second straight loss to Kentucky. ... Snell is the third player in SEC history to have 1,000 yards rushing and 10 touchdown runs in each of his first three seasons. The others are Georgia's Herschel Walker (1980-82) and Arkansas' Darren McFadden (2005-07).