SEC Preview: Tennessee to Host Wildcats

The Tennessee Volunteers were perched in the hot seat for a portion of this 2016 season, with claims of their team falling apart. Think the grass turned brown on their season? If the Vols can take care of the rest of their business however, they can still punch their ticket to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.

This Saturday, UT (6-3) will try and smooth out their Rocky season starting with Kentucky (5-4). Following the Wildcats, they face Missouri at home, and then Vanderbilt on the road. Winning out would in all likelihood put them on top of the East-leading Florida Gators, whom they devastated 38-28 earlier in the season. Florida faces South Carolina at home who is gaining momentum, and LSU on the road, which could be the nail in the coffin on their season. But even crazier, if Kentucky wins this Saturday at Neyland Stadium, and the Gators indeed drive that rusty nail through their own coffin, the Wildcats would win the East.

Florida loses to LSU and Arkansas.
Kentucky beats Georgia and Tennessee.

Kentucky is your 2016 SEC East champs.

— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) October 30, 2016

The Tennessee Volunteers

The Volunteers season has been one of either luck or divine skill as they have rallied from behind in a majority of their wins. Hail Marys, touchbacks, and overtime victories have defined their wins and if they continue to play smart they can knock off Kentucky. Senior QB Joshua Dobbs has 1,869 yards with 18 TD’s. Last week added some confidence against Tennessee Tech, after they ran away with a 55-0 victory. This was a breath of air for them after three consecutive losses beforehand.

Dobbs recorded a solid 12 for 13, 183 yards and 3 TD’s. Glorified running back or not, he’s seen some action rushing with 323 yards, 102 rushes, and 5 TD’s. Backup QB Quinten Dormady even got some reps and was 9 for 13 for 109 yards. Junior running back Jalen Hurd tweeted goodbye to the program, but John Kelly had 198 yards and a touchdown with 21 carries since his departure. Game-time decisions will be made on running back Alvin Kamara who was injured against Alabama. He has rushed for 313 yards, 3 TD’s and been an asset with 22 passes caught for 260 yards and 3 TD’s. WR Josh Malone and Jauan Jennings have over 900 yards and 12 TD’s between the two of them to add to the mix.

The Kentucky Wildcats

The Wildcats could have a wild story all right if they can upset the Vols. Senior QB Stephen Johnson has 1,231 yards and 7 TD’s. Last week in their nail bitter against Georgia (24-27 loss), he completed 10 of 20 passes for 103 yards, 1 INT, and 2 sacks. RB Stanley “Boom” Williams will be adding to his 898 yards, 123 rushes, and 4 TD’s. Cats will also use one of their leading scorers, running back Benjamin Snell Jr. who has 775 yards, 139 rushes, and 10 TD’s.

Receivers Jeff Badet and Garrett Johnson and TE C.J. Conrad have 9 TD’s on the receiving side of things. UK’s offense will have to step up and eliminate turnovers. Their defense isn’t firing and has lost 13 fumbles, and Tennessee will be waiting to pick up points defensively. The Cats will need to be ready for defensive end Derek Barnett, a leader in the SEC with 9 sacks.

Overall, Tennessee is nationally ranked 77^th offensively compared to Kentucky who ranks 80^th. UT tops them at 54^th defensively to UK’s 83^rd. Tennessee has won 30 of their last 31 meetings with the Wildcats.

Although an upset is on the table, Rocky Top will most likely be ringing again from Neyland Stadium this Saturday at noon.