Kentucky has played in Knoxville 13 times since 2000 and won once. On Saturday the Wildcats walk into Neyland at 7-1 and ranked No. 6 by the College Football Playoff committee, and that’s exactly why this one feels different.

The history first, because it’s ugly if you wear blue:

• Since 2000: Tennessee is 23-3 against Kentucky on the field.
• In Knoxville since 2000: Tennessee is 12-1.
• Kentucky’s three wins: 10-7 in Lexington in 2011, 29-26 in Lexington in 2017, and 34-7 in Knoxville in 2020, the only one at Neyland.
• Current streak: Tennessee has won five straight, including 56-34 in Lexington last October.

Now the part Vols fans don’t want to hear: streaks don’t play. Kentucky is 7-1. Tennessee is 6-2, ranked No. 13, and coming off a bye after a last-second loss at South Carolina. This is not one of those years where Kentucky shows up just happy to be there.

But I’m not scared of it. I already put the Kentucky Hat Guarantee on Tennessee to cover, and I’m not taking it back. Neyland at night, rested team, a running back who carries it 32 times a game. Give me the orange.

No. 6 Kentucky at No. 13 Tennessee, Saturday at 5:15 p.m. Central on ESPN.

Does the streak hold? Tell us on X and Instagram @fiveandafade.

Every pick is free. Get them by email: subscribe here.

Jeremy Durham is a sports columnist for TriStar Daily and the founder of Five and a Fade.