Five things Tennessee needs to do to beat Kentucky
Despite what most experts predicted coming into the season, Tennessee’s matchup against Kentucky could very well decide the winner of the SEC East. Here are five things the Vols must do to defeat the Wildcats.
LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 31, 2015 - running back Alvin Kamara #6 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, KY. Photo By Craig Bisacre/Tennessee Athletics
This Saturday, Tennessee and Kentucky will square off for the 112th time in a pivotal SEC East matchup. Tennessee (6-3, 2-3 SEC) has won 30 of the last 31 against the Wildcats (5-4, 4-3 SEC), including four straight.
Here are five things the Volunteers need to do in order to keep their SEC East hopes alive against Kentucky.
Get off to a fast start
While Tennessee has been exceptional playing from behind and coming back from deficits all season, it must look to turn this around and start hot this Saturday. Veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs will need to find big play receivers Josh Malone and Jauan Jennings early in order to get the offense clicking. Along with Malone and Jennings, Ethan Wolf and sure handed receiver Josh Smith will be looked upon for timely catches in order to move the chains. If Dobbs and his receiving core are hot early, the Vols will be in position to run away with the game.
Derek Barnett must continue to dominate
Junior defensive end — and All-SEC performer — Derek Barnett will always be a headache for opposing coaches. Currently leading the SEC in sacks with 9.0 and ranked third nationally, Barnett has the ability to take over a game and completely disrupt the opposition’s game plan. If Barnett can disrupt the Kentucky offense early and often, the Vols can look to switch field position and score with short fields.
Limit explosive plays from Kentucky’s running attack
Kentucky’s running back tandem is one of the very best in the SEC. Sophomore Stanley “Boom” Williams and freshmen Benny Snell Jr. are both explosive, athletic backs who will look to continue their success on Saturday.
Ranked fourth and seventh in rushing yards in the SEC, Williams and Snell will have to be key contributors if Kentucky wants to leave Knoxville with a win. Tennessee’s front seven will need to do a good job penetrating the Kentucky offensive line and get into the backfield often. Additionally, the Volunteer secondary — led by Todd Kelly Jr. — will need to contain the Wildcat rushers if they do break contain.
Sustain quality drives throughout the game
This starts up front. If the Tennessee offensive line can create holes and get the running game going early, the offense will be hard to stop. With a breakout game last week, John Kelly looks to be filling in nicely for the recently departed Jalen Hurd and injured Alvin Kamara.
Along with Kelly, senior quarterback Joshua Dobbs will also be looked upon to contribute to the ground game. f Dobbs can find the end zone with his feet and his arm, Tennessee should roll.
Don’t let Kentucky hang around late
Tennessee comes into this game looking to make it five straight over the Wildcats. Riding their 55-point victory over Tennessee Tech last week, the Volunteers must continue to ride their momentum and score early while playing aggressive defense this Saturday in Knoxville. This is a Kentucky team that will come into Neyland Stadium believing it is good enough to win. And if the game is close down the stretch, they may have all the confidence needed to steal this pivotal SEC East matchup.
Edited by Adam Milliken
Featured image by Craig Bisacre, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics
