As UK Football continues on with their great start to the season, they’ll now get ready for the Tennessee Volunteers, who will be coming to Kroger Field this Saturday.

Before the SEC showdown, the Kernel asked Tyler Wombles, the sports editor for the Daily Beacon, a few questions about the game. Here are his answers to some of the main topics heading into the game:

1. What do you think is the one thing that’s led to Tennessee’s struggles as of recent?

TW: Tennessee’s struggles have mainly come from its poor offensive play. The team’s defense has improved from week to week, but the offense has stayed stagnant, if not regressed. The Vols haven’t been effective in the passing game despite playing two different quarterbacks, and haven’t scored a touchdown in their last ten quarters of play. If Tennessee is going to succeed down the stretch, it has to fix its offensive problems. 

2. What’s the biggest challenge that Tennessee offers to UK?

TW: Tennessee’s most standout player so far this season has been junior running back John Kelly. He will give the Wildcats fits with his powerful running if they don’t adequately prepare for him. Kelly is putting together a great year running the ball and is easily Tennessee’s most dangerous offensive player. Not may teams have found an answer for how to stop him.

3. Tennessee now has a new quarterback after Josh Dobbs went to the NFL, how has the quarterback play been this year, specifically with Quinten Dormady?

TW: The Vols’ quarterback play this season has been disappointing, to say the least. Quinten Dormady started the first five games but was benched for Jarrett Guarantano, who started against South Carolina. Guarantano wasn’t very effective, but didn’t play poorly either. Guarantano seems to be the starter moving forward, but appears to need more experience before becoming the standout player many fans hope he will be.

4. Tennessee’s defense has looked vulnerable at times, what’s it going to take to stop Kentucky’s offense? 

TW: The Vols will need to focus on stopping the run in order to be successful against Kentucky. Tennessee has been gashed by opponents’ rushing attacks all year despite having several key defensive linemen return from injury. The secondary has improved throughout the course of the season, but it won’t matter if the defensive front can’t stuff Kentucky’s running game. 

5. What’s your prediction, with a final score? 

TW: While Tennessee has defeated Kentucky handedly in the past, this team hasn’t proven that it can beat any SEC teams. I predict Kentucky to win by a score of 21-17.