Losing Streaks Loom Large
Mark Stoops’ Wildcats played well in many facets of the game against Texas last week. Unfortunately for the BBN, they still couldn’t get a win, losing 16-13 in overtime. With the defeat UK has now lost 10 straight SEC home games and is 2-14 in the last 16. Furthermore, the Cats haven’t won a league game since beating Ole Miss on September 30th, 2024. It’s been over two years since they won a home game, beating Florida in 2023. In order to break these streaks, they’ll have to do something they haven’t done much over the years: beat their rival to the south. Let’s look at both teams, give you some history, and make a prediction as Kentucky Hosts The Border Battle.
How Did It Happen?
Much has been written about Kentucky’s loss to Texas last Saturday night, including here at Last Word. But taking a deep dive at the numbers shows it was almost statistically impossible. However, for anyone who’s been a long-suffering Wildcat football fan, the impossible is always possible.
The Wildcats outgained the Longhorns 395 to 179, had 26 first downs to only eight for Texas, controlled the ball for nearly 2/3 of the game, and still lost. In the end, the biggest culprit was the simplest: not getting the ball in the end zone. UK had six scoring chances but only had 13 points. In addition, Kentucky got seven points on three trips to the red zone.
In a game similar to last year’s Georgia contest, the game was there for Kentucky’s taking; they just couldn’t get the job done. Much like that Bulldog loss, the play calling will be talked about for a while. More specifically, running it up the middle three times against one of the best defenses in college football. One other thing was that the Wildcats’ punt return defense struggled. Ryan Niblett’s two long punt returns led to Texas points.
If you are looking for positives, Cutter Boley thoroughly outplayed Arch Manning, throwing for 258 yards and rushing for 45 more and a touchdown. Seth McGowan had over 100 all-purpose yards, but didn’t play on that final series. Thankfully for the Cats, they’ll face a defense nowhere near the caliber of Texas. Let’s look at the Volunteers as Kentucky Hosts The Border Battle.
Scouting the Vols
Josh Heupel’s club comes into Saturday sporting a 5-2 record and 2-2 in SEC play. A week ago, they lost 37-20 to Alabama, a loss that dropped them to 17th in the latest A.P. Poll. When you think of Heupel-led teams, you think of offense, and this team is no different.
If you remember back to the off-season, then quarterback Nico Iamaleava, in essence, got into a contract dispute and transferred to UCLA. However, the Bruins’ signal caller Joey Aguilar, came to Knoxville and has done really well. So far in 2025, he leads the SEC in passing yards with 1948 to go along with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions.
When Aguilar throws the ball, he’s got a ton of talented targets. Braylon Staley leads the Vols with 41 receptions and is second with 523 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Brazzell II is second with 39 catches but leads the team with 602 yards and seven touchdowns.
UT is far from one-dimensional as DeSean Bishop is fifth in the league with 604 yards and leads with a 7.8-yard average per rush. Overall, Tennessee is fifth in the country, averaging 511 yards per game.
However, one difference between this and last year’s team is on defense. Currently, the Vols are 97th in the country, giving up 391 yards a game. In the red zone, they are even worse, allowing touchdowns on 22 of 27 possessions. Something has to give when one of the worst offenses meets one of the worst defenses.
Now that we’ve looked at both teams, let’s look at the ugly history if you’re part of the BBN as Kentucky Hosts The Border Battle.
One-Sided Rivalry
Saturday marks the 121st time the two schools separated by a three-hour drive on Interstate 75 have met. The Volunteers hold an 85-26 series lead with nine ties. UT famously won 26 straight from 1985-2010 before the Cats broke the streak in 2011.
Furthermore, Tennessee has won 37 of the last 40 and is on a four-game winning streak. Kentucky’s last win came in dominating fashion back in 2020, down in Knoxville. A season ago UK led 10-7 at the half before the Vols won 28-18. Stoops is 2-10 all-time against Tennessee, while Heupel is 4-0 against the Cats.
As we do every week, it’s prediction time as Kentucky Hosts The Border Battle
Who Wins On Saturday?
On paper, it seems like Kentucky, the Wildcats are catching Tennessee at a good time. They’re fresh off the Alabama loss and play Oklahoma next week in a game that could have college football playoff implications. Could they be overlooking the Wildcats?
Every Power Five school UT has played has scored at least 26 points this year. For an offense that hasn’t scored more than two touchdowns in a league game under coordinator Bush Hamdan, is this week for a breakthrough?
While Kentucky is 1-3 in the last four games against Tennessee, each contest has been decided by six points or less. It seems that close game or not, Tennessee always finds a way to beat Kentucky, and Saturday should be no exception.
Tennessee 35-21
Main Image: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
