Kentucky at Tennessee - 2026 Matchup Preview
Kentucky logo Kentucky Wildcats at Tennessee VolunteersTennessee logo
Saturday, November 7th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, TN

 
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Will Stein (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 23 - 26 (11 - 32 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#84)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
UK coming off BYE
TENN coming off BYE
Our Line: Tennessee -15.5  (SP+ TENN -13)
Projected Score: UK: 21 - TENN: 37 (58)
TENN Win prob: 86% | Cover: 55%
UK Travel: 146 miles
Volunteers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (45 - 20)
Avg Score : 40 - 29 (42 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8 - 5 (#53)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Kentucky's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Kentucky vs Youngstown State-26
Sat 9/12 Kentucky vs Alabama+12.5
Sat 9/19 Kentucky at Texas A&M+23
Sat 9/26 Kentucky vs South Alabama-17
Sat 10/3 Kentucky at South Carolina+9
Sat 10/10 Kentucky vs LSU+12
Sat 10/17 Kentucky at Oklahoma+20
Sat 10/24 Kentucky vs Vanderbilt+11.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Kentucky at Tennessee+15.5
Sat 11/14 Kentucky vs Florida+4
Sat 11/21 Kentucky at Missouri+17
Sat 11/28 Kentucky vs Louisville+5.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Kentucky's Schedule
Tennessee's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Tennessee vs Furman-39.5
Sat 9/12 Tennessee at Georgia Tech-6.5
Sat 9/19 Tennessee vs Kennesaw State-29
Sat 9/26 Tennessee vs Texas+3
Sat 10/3 Tennessee vs Auburn-5.5
Sat 10/10 Tennessee at Arkansas-9.5
Sat 10/17 Tennessee vs Alabama-0.5
Sat 10/24 Tennessee at South Carolina-4
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Tennessee vs Kentucky-15.5
Sat 11/14 Tennessee at Texas A&M+10
Sat 11/21 Tennessee vs LSU-1
Sat 11/28 Tennessee at Vanderbilt+3

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Tennessee's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UK#115 (.08)42% (81)2345% (53)3.05 (51)13940% (96)2023.84 (57)#85 (.18)44% (97)26.444% (84)45% (112)3.98 (99)411.81.2
TENN#5 (.33)51% (5)39.852% (3)3.1 (40)17650% (9)2934.69 (9)#69 (.16)44% (107)28.848% (123)41% (67)4.09 (109)54.81.21.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
UK0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
TENN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UK Offense122310.841.6%3.841.8203411392023.951%47%45%40%18%.08
TENN Defense1328.82944.5%4.091.5 - - - - - 50%49%48%41%18%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
UK Defense1226.431.843.7%3.981.2 - - - - - 52%46%44%45%15%.18
TENN Offense1339.842.350.6%4.691.2254691762934.750%48%52%50%12%.33

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kentucky1230:3819.740%52%4.9411.81.25.82.1029.6
Tennessee1327:2225.250%76%6.254.81.21.56.62.7428.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UK Offense1251% (52)45% (53)35.9139.33.919 (70).06 (98)3.05 (51)70% (84)11% (111)0.82 (124)
TENN Defense1350% (72)48% (123) - - - - .12 (79)2.89 (73)82% (126)12% (16)0.85 (15)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
UK Defense1252% (94)44% (84) - - - - .09 (63)2.89 (71)68% (44)10% (57)0.9 (41)
TENN Offense1350% (65)52% (3)37.8176.24.735 (16).26 (9)3.1 (40)85% (2)8% (23)0.96 (72)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UK Offense1247% (85)40% (96)19.130.6201.96.610.615 (128)14 (60).19 (101)1.6 (59)31% (62)26% (113).02 (134)7% (95)1.7 (131)
TENN Defense1349% (78)41% (67) - - - - - - 10 (75).22 (58)1.5 (54)31% (78)28% (45).26 (58)7% (32)2.1 (105)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
UK Defense1246% (37)45% (112) - - - - - - 12 (38).31 (99)1.5 (64)30% (91)31% (85).31 (76)5% (110)2 (53)
TENN Offense1348% (74)50% (9)22.533.6292.88.71326 (14)10 (88).41 (19)1.6 (57)26% (10)34% (24).47 (16)5% (28)2.2 (10)

Kentucky's Power Ratings
Kentucky's Power Rating: 3.58  #51
Kentucky's Offense Rating: 13.98  #42
Kentucky's Defense Rating: 15.40  #57
2026 Talent Rating: 826.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 25%  #23
Kentucky's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kentucky's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.8  #66
Kentucky's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #80
Kentucky's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.7  #48

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.38
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Kentucky: 3.58   Tennessee: 18.36

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kentucky: 1.8   Tennessee: 15.0




Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 18.36  #18
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 22.10  #11
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 10.38  #28
2026 Talent Rating: 980.00  #15
Blue Chip Ratio: 53  #10
Tennessee's 2026 Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0
Tennessee's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.0  #19
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.3  #7
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.4  #63

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.38
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


Kentucky Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense on Road: 10.8
Defense: 26.4 PPG
Defense on Road: 31.8

Kentucky's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 37
Kentucky 21

Projected Total Points: 58
Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 39.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 42.3
Defense: 28.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 29

Tennessee's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/25Kentucky34Tennessee56Tennessee -7.5Tennessee55.5Over
202411/02Tennessee28Kentucky18Tennessee -17.5Kentucky45.5Over
202310/28Kentucky27Tennessee33Tennessee -4Tennessee50.5Over
202210/29Tennessee44Kentucky6Tennessee -10.5Tennessee62.5Under
202111/06Kentucky42Tennessee45Tennessee -1Tennessee57.5Over
202010/17Tennessee7Kentucky34Tennessee -6.0Kentucky45.5Under
201911/09Kentucky13Tennessee17Kentucky -2Tennessee42.0Under
201811/10Tennessee24Kentucky7Kentucky -5Tennessee43.0Under
201710/28Kentucky29Tennessee26Kentucky -4Tennessee46.0Over
201611/12Tennessee49Kentucky36Tennessee -10.5Tennessee58.0Over
201510/31Kentucky21Tennessee52Tennessee -7.5Tennessee60.5Over
201411/15Tennessee50Kentucky16Tennessee -6.5Tennessee0
201311/30Kentucky14Tennessee27Tennessee -4Tennessee0
201211/24Tennessee37Kentucky17
201111/26Kentucky10Tennessee7
201011/27Tennessee24Kentucky14
200911/28Kentucky24Tennessee30
200811/29Tennessee28Kentucky10
200711/24Kentucky50Tennessee52
200611/25Tennessee17Kentucky12
200511/26Kentucky8Tennessee27
200411/27Tennessee37Kentucky31
200311/29Kentucky7Tennessee20
200111/17Kentucky35Tennessee38
200011/17Tennessee59Kentucky20
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Tennessee22117 Overs
Kentucky324 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams13 - 124 - 93 - 41 - 5
Road Teams12 - 139 - 45 - 14 - 3

(#51) UK at (#18) TENN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUKTENN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #51 #18
SP+SP+ #66 #19
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #45 #15
Blue ChipsBC% #23 #10
Kentucky on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffTENN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #81 #107
ExplosiveExp #128 #13
PPAPPA #115 #69
PowerPwr #42 #28
SP+SP+ #80 #63
Pts POPPO #57 #109
HavocHav #110 #19
Kentucky Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffTENN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #53 #123
Run ExplRExp #124 #15
PPAExp #98 #79
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #51 #73
Stuff RateStuff #51 #47
TackleTak - NR
Kentucky Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
UK OffTENN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #96 #67
Pass ExplPExl #59 #54
PPAExp #101 #58
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #111 #16
DB HavocDB #95 #32
Tennessee on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffUK Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #5 #97
ExplosiveExp #51 #57
PPAPPA #5 #85
PowerPwr #11 #57
SP+SP+ #7 #48
Pts POPPO #9 #99
HavocHav #18 #93
Tennessee Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffUK Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #3 #84
Run ExplRExp #72 #41
PPAExp #9 #63
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #40 #71
Stuff RateStuff #12 #53
TackleTak - NR
Tennessee Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffUK Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #9 #112
Pass ExplPExl #57 #64
PPAExp #19 #99
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #23 #57
DB HavocDB #28 #110
Program Comparison
TENN 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Down to Top 25 Contenders

UK 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Neyland Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Tennessee beat Kentucky last year (56-34)
Tennessee beat Kentucky in 2024 (28-18)
Tennessee beat Kentucky in 2023 (33-27)

  
UK's OC Joe Sloan (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kenny Minchey (Tr)202677%196007.5
JacQai Long (Tr)61833%31001.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jason Patterson5722513.929
CJ Baxter Jr.5419603.618
Kenny Minchey (Tr)784112.034
Jovantae Barnes (Tr)194512.410
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Willie Rodriguez23310113.553
Josh Kattus17195211.534
Xavier Daisy (Tr)1817719.821
DJ Miller13175213.556

View Kentucky's Full Roster

UK's DC Jay Bateman (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Bryant762001
Jordan Castell (Tr)540020
Grant Godfrey342110
Mi'Quise Grace317462
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mi'Quise Grace317462
Tavion Gadson284330
Lorenzo Cowan135300
Jamarrion Harkless (Tr)132340
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Terhyon Nichols181024
Grant Grayton160003
Mi'Quise Grace317462

TENN's OC Joey Halzle (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ryan Staub (Tr)305555%426347.7
George MacIntyre7978%69007.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DeSean Bishop1821076165.950
Javin Gordon (Tr)12851654.025
Daune Morris3513313.819
Justin Baker144303.17
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Braylon Staley68837612.373
Mike Matthews53813415.362
Ethan Davis21257212.240
DeSean Bishop1513509.023

View Tennessee's Full Roster

TENN's DC Jim Knowles (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Edwin Spillman814332
Jeremiah Telander806120
Edrees Farooq760003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jordan Norman (Tr)278620
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Daevin Hobbs304322
Edwin Spillman814332
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Redmond4310011
DJ Burks (Tr)732005
TJ Metcalf (Tr)583004