No. 17 Tennessee has left itself very little wiggle room when it comes to seeking a second consecutive spot in the College Football Playoff.
In one of sports' most intense border wars, the Volunteers (5-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) will cross the state line to face Kentucky (2-4, 0-4) on Saturday night in Lexington.
After suffering another loss to a top SEC power, 37-20 at Alabama last weekend, Vols coach Josh Heupel said he expects a tough battle along the lines of scrimmage, areas that are the Wildcats' strengths.
"Their offensive line, their experience and physicality, is a big part of their identity," he said Monday. "Defensively, again, big and strong up front. Multiple-front structure rotation."
Heupel added that he expects to bring a healthy Joey Aguilar to the Bluegrass Stat