Kentucky head coach Will Stein offers early thoughts on Tennessee

Tennessee is coming off of a loss last weekend at South Carolina, finally landing on their bye week ahead of a crucial four-game stretch to close the regular season. The Volunteers found a way to lose in Columbia, which gives them (likely) no room for error in the final four games.

The first of those four games comes against Kentucky, wh0 finds themselves in the driver’s seat of the SEC. The Wildcats are suddenly 7-1, rolling towards a berth in the College Football Playoff. New head coach Will Stein has invigorated the entire program, finally giving the Wildcats a jolt of much-needed energy.

However, as good as that all sounds, one of his biggest tests is up next. Tennessee has completely owned Kentucky in football, particularly over the last five decades. Their last win over the Volunteers came back in 2020, which was their first win in Knoxville since 1984.

Stein gets his first chance in the rivalry next weekend.

“They’re off, we’re off this weekend,” Stein said of the matchup on Wednesday. “So I don’t mind saying anything about them. I think they’re obviously one of the elite teams in the country. I think they’re good in all three phases. Coach Heupel has been one of the dynamic play callers in college football over the last decade or so.”

Heupel is 5-0 against Kentucky during his time at Tennessee, including a 2-0 mark in Knoxville.

“And then Jim Knowles, this will now be my fourth time going against Coach Knowles,” Stein continued. “And I mean, I can’t say enough great things about him. He’s a phenomenal coordinator. His defense is very hard to game plan against. And I think he’s one of the best in the business.”

Knowles and Stein faced each other twice during the 2024 season. Stein’s Oregon offense put up 32 points at home in a win over the Buckeyes, then could only score 21 when the two faced each other in the College Football Playoff. They met again while Knowles was briefly at Penn State, with Stein’s offense scoring 30 points in a win.

Stein’s Kentucky offense ranks in the middle of the pack (71st), putting up 386 yards per game. Kentucky’s defense ranks about the same, checking in at 72nd. A big reason for Stein’s year-one success has been the turnover margin, which sits at a staggering +13 for the year, good for 3rd in the FBS.

Notre Dame transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey has been a big part of that, throwing for 1,755 yards, 14 touchdowns and just one interception.

“Going into their stadium, I have nothing but respect for that coaching staff,” Stein finished. “And I know it’s gonna be a really tough environment to play. And our guys are looking forward to the challenge.”

Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. ET in Knoxville on Saturday, November 7th. ESPN will have the call.