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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Vols the underdogs in a rare case against Kentucky

Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson dives into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown over Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) and defensive back Shawn Shamburger (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won the game 29-26. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)
Kentucky quarterback Stephen Johnson dives into the end zone for a game-winning touchdown over Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) and defensive back Shawn Shamburger (15) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won the game 29-26. (AP Photo/David Stephenson)

KNOXVILLE – Tennessee has thoroughly dominated its football series with Kentucky.

This Saturday, though, the Volunteers will be in an unfamiliar role against the Wildcats: underdogs.

Needing two wins in its last three games to secure its fifth bowl invitation this decade, Tennessee will host a Kentucky team that is 7-2 overall, 5-2 in the Southeastern Conference and ranked 12th in the nation.

The Vols (4-5, 1-4) also will host Missouri (5-4, 1-4) next week, at 3:30 p.m., and visit Vanderbilt (4-5, 1-4) on Nov. 24 for the season finale. Those teams are fighting for bowl bids also.

Kentucky already is assured of a bowl but is coming off a 34-17 loss to fifth-ranked Georgia and is playing for high-level bowl status.