There have been numerous big time matchups against the Wildcats and the Vols. However, the biggest game in the history of the Kentucky-Tennessee rivalry kicks off on Saturday night down in Knoxville, where it will be an 8th-ranked Kentucky team taking on a 16th-ranked Tennessee squad.

Kentucky has only defeated Tennessee three times in the last 41 years, two of those times coming within the last nine years. The last time the Wildcats came away victorious against the Vols was back in 2020 when they left Knoxville with a 34-7 win. Overall, Tennessee leads the all-time series with 86 wins and 26 losses, as well as nine ties. They are 8-2 in their last 10 matchups with Kentucky, including holding a five-game win streak heading into Saturday’s game.

The last time Kentucky and Tennessee played in a ranked matchup was when No. 19 Kentucky took on No. 3 Tennessee in 2022, where the Wildcats saw themselves take a 44-6 beating. This time, it feels much different heading into a game where Kentucky has the upper hand with the better record, ranking, and overall resume as a playoff-contending team. Tennessee still has the advantage with the environment, defense, and run game especially, but Will Stein has shown his team can compete with anyone especially on the road.

In 2020, Kentucky and Tennessee were both 2-2 on the season and the Wildcats dominated 34-7. This time, it’s one of the more highly-anticipated matchups ever in the rivalry’s long history. Tennessee looks to bounce back after an upset loss at South Carolina and get back into the playoff picture, while Kentucky tries to keep its hot season going and keep its playoff hopes alive.

It’s been a very long series history between the two border rivals, and Saturday’s game could go down as one of the best in its history.

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