KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The seventh-ranked Tennessee Volunteers want to avoid a repeat performance of what happened coming off their last open date. The Vols were ranked No.
4, only to lose as a double-digit favorite at Arkansas. Now the Vols are coming off both an open date and a big win over rival Alabama as they host Kentucky on Saturday night. That Arkansas loss eliminated the margin of error as Tennessee chases a berth in the 12-team College Football Playoff, especially with the calendar about to flip to November.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said his Vols (6-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) peeking ahead leads to mistakes. “Good teams continue to get better,” Heupel said. "Our best football is still out in front of us, and we have to go chase that.
” The Wildcats (3-5, 1-5) have lost three straight — the last 24-10 home loss to Auburn — and 10 of their past 12 league games. That's put them in danger of missing the postseason for the first time in nine years. “There's no excuses,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said.
“So it is what it is. I don't want to keep on commenting on it. There's no excuses.
” Tennessee can take a big step toward improving by scoring points before halftime. That would end a three-game drought. The Vols rebounded with 24 points to beat Alabama and needed overtime to beat Florida before that.
The slow start was costly against Arkansas. Tight end Miles Kitselman thinks quarterback Nico Iamaleava found something in the second half against.
