Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers Prediction, Odds, Line, Spread, and Picks - October 29 | 2022 NCAA Football Season

Northern Illinois v Kentucky
Kentucky QB WIll Levis looks to pass

On Saturday, the (#19) Kentucky Wildcats (5-2) will play the (#3) Tennessee Volunteers (7-0) in a star-studded SEC matchup. The Wildcats picked up a massive win over then (#16) Mississippi State two weeks ago before enjoying a much-needed bye in Week 8. Kentucky leaned on star RB Chris Rodriguez in the win over the Bulldogs, carrying the ball 31 times for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Will Levis also returned from injury, throwing for 230 yards and one touchdown.

Meanwhile, Tennessee continued their remarkable season with a win over Tennessee-Martin 65-24. The SEC is notorious for scheduling cupcakes for non-conference matchups, and the Volunteers are no exception with their most recent win over an FCS school. Quarterback Hendon Hooker's Heisman resume added three more passing touchdowns in the win over the Skyhawks. Tennessee owns a remarkable 82-26 record against Kentucky, including 26 in a row from 1985-2010. However, the Wildcats have been more competitive recently, winning two of their last five meetings.


Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Odds

TeamSpreadOver/UnderMoneyline
UK Wildcats+12.5o61.5+350
UT Vols-12.5u61.5-450

All Lines Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook


Tale of the Tape

The Kentucky Wildcats are slowly becoming more relevant in the college football landscape with Mark Stoops at the helm. The former University of Arizona defensive coordinator took over in 2013, going three straight seasons before his first winning campaign. Since then, he has already turned in two double-digit winning seasons; the first coach to do so in Kentucky's 107-year-old football program. Quarterback Will Levis, who is 5-1 as a starter this year, leads a passing attack near the top of the SEC in passing yards (260.3) and passing touchdowns per game (2.1). The ground game has been modest this year, but make no mistake, Chris Rodriguez has some significant wiggle, ask Mississippi State. When healthy, Rodriguez is a force, averaging 131.7 rushing yards and one touchdown per game.

The Wildcats are a scrappy group on defense, taking on the identity of their head coach Mark Stoops. Kentucky is in the top five of the conference in all major defensive categories, notably passing yards and completion percentage per game. However, the secondary will face its most brutal test this year against a superb UT passing attack.

The Tennessee Volunteers have national championship aspirations after starting the season 7-0 for the first time since Rocky Top went bonkers during their title year in '98. Tennessee's Hendon Hooker has been unreal, leading the SEC in pass completion percentage (70.6) and passer efficiency (190.8). An undefeated season would likely mean UT's first Heisman winner in program history. Wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is the primary beneficiary of Hooker's play, leading the NCAA in receiving touchdowns with 12. The rushing attack compliments the pass well, leading to the Volunteers having the best offense in the FBS at 50.1 points per game.

Game flow has led to opponents spinning the rock more often against the UT defense. The Volunteers give up 329.7 passing yards per game, but opponents are still under 1.5 passing touchdowns per contest. The front seven has been stout, keeping runners to a lowly 2.9 yards a touch.


Kentucky Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers Prediction

The Kentucky Wildcats will try to keep up with the Volunteers and/or stop them. Of course, doing both will be near impossible, but a healthy Wildcats team has a better chance than any remaining team outside Georgia. In addition, Kentucky will have the services of both Rodriguez and Levis for the second time this season. The duo power a Kentucky offense that has enough firepower to keep up with a UT team that has been historic. If the UK secondary can make some plays against the Heisman favorite, then the Wildcats should hang around for the entirety of the game.

Prediction: Kentucky +12.5 (-110)

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Edited by Gaelin Leif