Kentucky vs Tennessee head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 10, Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The Breakdown
Tennessee 65, Kentucky 63 — near even; the Vols' top-heavy roster starts 4★ linebackers behind a 3.8★ D-line.
When Kentucky has the ball: CJ Baxter, 3★ with three years, runs into Tennessee's 4★ linebackers: Carter, Campbell, Perlotte.
When Tennessee has the ball: 4★ receivers Matthews, Jackson, Staley test Kentucky's 3.5★ secondary; DeSean Bishop faces 3.7★ linebackers.
Swing factor: Kenny Minchey, 4★ and three years, arrives via portal; 4★ George MacIntyre owns one season.
X-factor: Week 10, Saturday in November: Kentucky travels to Knoxville with a hostile SEC crowd waiting.