Tennessee football vs Kentucky picks: Vols don't lose to Wildcats in Knoxville, right?

Tennessee football is set to face Kentucky in a crucial November matchup at Neyland Stadium on November 7. The Vols, currently with a record of 6-2 and 3-2 in the SEC, have recently suffered a loss to South Carolina by a last-second field goal, earning their second SEC defeat before the season's end. Meanwhile, Kentucky, with a record of 7-1 and 5-1, has returned from an open date and is positioned to secure the SEC Championship Game and CFP spot.

First-year coach Will Stein has assembled a disciplined team that limits its mistakes and capitalizes on opponents' turnovers. Kentucky has only triumphed in Knoxville against Tennessee once since 1984, in the 2020 game held at Neyland Stadium during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are Knox News staff members' predictions for the Tennessee-Kentucky game:

1. Adam Sparks, UT beat reporter, predicts a close game with Tennessee winning 28-24. He believes that Tennessee can control the game by dominating the line of scrimmage and capitalizing on the Wildcats' turnover issues.

2. Emmett Siegel, UT beat reporter, forecasts a narrow Tennessee victory of 24-20. Despite the Vols' struggling passing game, their rushing attack and defense are strong enough to overcome the Wildcats' discipline.

3. Cora Hall, UT beat reporter, expects Kentucky to narrowly edge Tennessee 27-24. Both teams have had a week off to rest, and Kentucky has shown they can triumph when it matters most.

4. Stephen Thompson, UT beat reporter, anticipates a tough, close game with Tennessee emerging victorious 17-13. He attributes Tennessee's success to their excellent defense and the Neyland Stadium atmosphere.

5. Wynton Jackson, sports reporter, predicts a Tennessee win of 26-21. He emphasizes that Tennessee needs to be flawless in the remainder of the season to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, starting with this critical matchup.

6. John Adams, columnist, gives Tennessee a slim 27-20 victory, acknowledging Kentucky's improved performance under first-year coach Will Stein. However, he notes that history suggests Tennessee is typically the underdog in this rivalry.

7. Gentry Estes, Tennessean columnist, also predicts a narrow Tennessee win of 23-14, suggesting that Kentucky may experience a letdown in this challenging rivalry game at Neyland Stadium.