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Bold Predictions: Tennessee looks to continue momentum against Kentucky
By Jason Hall
Published:
The Tennessee Volunteers (4-5, 1-4 SEC) host the Kentucky Wildcats (5-5, 2-5) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The Vols are two games from securing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010.
Tennessee is coming off a bye week that followed its first SEC win, a 45-42 overtime victory over South Carolina. The Vols recorded a season-best 645 yards of total offense after weeks of inconsistency.
Here are some bold predictions:
Joshua Dobbs will have a repeat performance: Joshua Dobbs became the first quarterback in school history to record 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game against South Carolina. The sophomore also led Tennessee to a 14-point rally with 17 unanswered points in the final minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime. For his efforts, Dobbs was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 11.
The hype surrounding Dobbs has grown since his first appearance against Alabama. Many Vols fans believe he gives the team a solid chance to win at least two of their next three games and gain bowl eligibility. To do so, Dobbs must have another strong performance facing a Kentucky defense that struggles to stop the run.
Jalen Hurd will set another career-high rushing total: Freshman Jalen Hurd rushed for a season-best 125 yards. He also recorded a team-best seven receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Prior to his injury in Week 6, Hurd had set a new season-best rushing total in each game. But after suffering his shoulder “stinger,” Hurd saw a limit in carries for several weeks and his rushing totals declined. Despite limited practice (undisclosed hand injury), the freshman is expected to play a major role in Tennessee’s offense against Kentucky.
Vols will win by double-digits: If you asked for a prediction weeks ago, my answer would’ve been different. Tennessee looked hopeless on offense as its line seemed incapable of providing any protection.
Kentucky, on the other hand, cruised to a 5-1 record after facing several easy matchups before entering a difficult stretch of its schedule.
Tennessee now holds momentum as its offense looks impressive with Dobbs at quarterback. Kentucky, on the other hand, seems incapable of finding the same balance it showed through its first six games.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
