Kentucky vs Tennessee: Game updates, live score in college football

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Facing Tennessee rarely is an easy endeavor for Kentucky football.

But it's even tougher when a team has sprung as many leaks as the Wildcats this fall. In six SEC games, the offense has scored just seven touchdowns. The defense has combined to give up more than 60 points and more than 475 yards in its past two outings. UK might be without its top two running backs (Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and Chip Trayanum) for the second straight contest. A pair of veteran linebackers, D'Eryk Jackson and J.J. Weaver, might be sidelined with injuries as well. The injury list goes on and on.

Oh, and if all that weren't enough, Kentucky might have a quarterback controversy on its hands as it decides between Brock Vandagriff and Gavin Wimsatt.

Then there's Tennessee.

The Volunteers rank among the top 10 in the country in total offense and total defense. They're 6-1 overall and are No. 7 in the latest US LBM coaches poll. Aside from this season's success, they can rest easy in the fact they've dominated the all-time series against the Wildcats — and are 9-2 against UK since Mark Stoops took over in Lexington.

Can Kentucky snap its three-game losing streak? And shock the world in the process?

We'll find out tonight, when the Wildcats and Volunteers tangle at Neyland Stadium.

Alex Raynor remains steady as ever, making his 16th straight field goal dating back to last season.

This one is from 32 yards away.

Tennessee pushes it across the goal line on a 1-yard run from tailback Peyton Lewis.

The Wildcats strike first tonight: Brock Vandagriff connects with Josh Kattus on a 27-yard touchdown.

There's no change at the top of the depth chart for Kentucky: Brock Vandagriff remains the starting quarterback for the Tennessee game. Vandagriff was one of four Wildcats to go out for the pregame coin toss tonight. It will be Vandagriff's eighth start in as many games.

UK didn't name a starting signal caller earlier this week. But during pregame warmups, Brock Vandagriff, who has started the first seven games at QB this season, was taking snaps with first-team center Eli Cox.

The final availability report for Saturday's game was released 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Thirteen players are out for Kentucky:

Tennessee will be without three players today:

Kentucky vs. Tennessee will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network. Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers will call the game from the booth at Kroger Field, with Cole Cubelic reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Tennessee 38, Kentucky 10: With so little going right for UK, and so little going wrong for Tennessee, it's impossible to predict Mark Stoops' club pulling off its second stunning road upset of the season. The Wildcats' fourth consecutive setback drops them to 3-6 in 2024 — and backs them into a corner, needing to win out to finish .500 as they aim to extend their bowl streak to a ninth straight season.

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of today:

Per the SEC's latest availability report, posted at 8 p.m. Friday, Kentucky has a staggering 13 players listed as "out" for Saturday night's game.

That group includes:

Defensive back Nasir Addison is listed as probable.

Tennessee has three players likely sitting out.

That group includes:

UT defensive lineman Caleb Herring is questionable.

The high is 78 degrees with partly cloudy skies and a 23% chance of rain in the forecast.

Record: 3-5 (1-5 SEC)

Record: 6-1 (3-1 SEC)

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.