Tennessee’s Jalen Hurd (1) is forced out-of-bounds by Alabama’s Dillon Lee (25).FRESH LOOKWith just three weeks left in the regular season, there are five freshmen in the top 20 in the SEC in rushing yards per game. Here’s a look at their numbers this season:Nick Chubb (Georgia): 133 carries, 895 yards and 7 TDs; 13 catches for 129 yards and 2 TDsRalph Webb (Vanderbilt): 185 carries, 838 yards and 3 TDs; 8 catches for 27 yardsLeonard Fournette (LSU): 152 carries, 736 yards and 7 TDs; 7 catches for 127 yardsJalen Hurd (Tennessee): 134 carries, 598 yards and 2 TDs; 26 catches for 166 yards and 2 TDsStanley “Boom” Williams (Kentucky): 52 carries, 361 yards and 3 TDs; 14 catches for 149 yards and 1 TDGames played: Fournette and Webb 10, Hurd and Chubb 9, Williams 8.
KENTUCKY (5-5, 2-5 SEC) AT TENNESSEE (4-5, 1-4)4 p.m. * Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. * SEC Network/106.5 FMTHE MATCHUPHow important was the open date to Tennessee’s defense? The Vols allowed 110 points and 1,477 yards in their last three games before the break, and Kentucky’s offense is capable of chewing up yards and putting up points with big plays. With almost no depth, Tennessee looked tired heading into the open date, particularly in the front seven, and communication issues have been popping up, too.The Wildcats are among the national leaders in big plays, and Tennessee’s coaches noted how much Kentucky has upgraded its speed at the skill positions under second-year coach Mark Stoops. However, the Wildcats have struggled offensively on the road, averaging 114 yards less in their three road games at Florida (fourth in the SEC in total defense), LSU (third) and Missouri (sixth).Can the ‘Cats reverse that trend, or will the chance to catch its breath help Tennessee’s defense play like it did in the first half of the season?ONE TO WATCHFor the last two weeks, Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs has been hearing good he is, how he’s turned around the Vols’ season and how he’s the future of the program.Make no mistake, he deserves the praise after accounting for 734 yards and seven touchdowns since taking over and becoming the first Tennessee quarterback to throw for 300 yards and run for 100 yards in a single game and leading the Vols to the improbable rally against a bad South Carolina defense in Columbia.Dobbs has heard less praise from Vols coach Butch Jones and offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, who have been on him to be more consistent and become an even better player.”It’s our job as coaches to push,” Jones said. “Josh is one of those individuals you really don’t need to push, but you still do it anyways because that’s your job. He continues to develop and grow, and he knows when he mistakes and he’s eager to correct them.”IN THE ENDSecond-year coaches Stoops and Jones have Kentucky and Tennessee on similar rebuilding paths that have been aided by solid recruiting. Regardless of the future trajectories of the two programs, the two particularly teams are heading in different directions.The Vols are riding a wave of momentum from the comeback in Columbia and should be rested after last week’s open date, while the Wildcats have lost their last four games — three were to top-20 teams — by a combined score of 169-75 after starting 5-1 and are playing their eighth game in as many weeks.The stakes are high with postseason play within reach. At home off an open date, this is a game Tennessee should win, but Kentucky is good enough to make the Vols work for it.PREDICTION: TENNESSEE 31, KENTUCKY 21
KNOXVILLE – Through 160 combined rushing attempts and receptions and the wear and tear of two-plus months as a Southeastern Conference running back, Jalen Hurd insists he’s feeling fresh.
That’s a good sign for Tennessee’s offense heading into a three-game stretch with plenty at stake.
Slowed by a shoulder injury last month, the freshman tailback bounced back with two of his better performances of the season and could be in line for another heavy workload when the Volunteers host Kentucky today.