Kentucky is a top-10 team in November for the first time in 49 years, per ESPN’s Bill Connelly, who also made the case this week that 2026 is chasing 2007, the most chaotic season college football has ever had. I’m going to take it one step further. If this is 2007 all over again, Tennessee fans already know how Kentucky week is supposed to go.
Remember 52-50?
Nov. 24, 2007, in Lexington. Tennessee 52, Kentucky 50, in four overtimes. Tied 31-31 after regulation. Then the two teams traded touchdowns until the Wildcats finally came up two points short.
- Erik Ainge: 28 of 45, 397 yards, seven touchdown passes
- Andre’ Woodson: 39 of 62, 430 yards, six touchdowns
- Arian Foster: 27 carries, 118 yards
- Eric Berry: 14 tackles
That win sent Tennessee to the SEC Championship Game, where the Vols lost to LSU 21-14. Kentucky had cracked the top 10 earlier that fall too, but had cooled off by the time it got to us. (Every number above from ESPN’s box score.)
Why 2026 feels like 2007
No. 1 and No. 2 keep falling. Teams that started the year unranked, Kentucky and UCLA among them, are living in the top 10. And this Saturday, for once, the top two both play ranked teams on the road: No. 1 Miami at No. 11 Notre Dame and No. 2 Georgia at No. 10 Ole Miss, both at 6:30 p.m. Central.
My take: 2007 doesn’t happen again until somebody truly unthinkable sneaks into the national title picture. We’re not there yet. But give me one more wild Saturday and I’m ordering a throwback Ainge jersey.
No. 6 Kentucky at No. 13 Tennessee, Saturday at 5:15 p.m. Central on ESPN. Same rivalry, different century. Same result, please.
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Jeremy Durham is a sports columnist for TriStar Daily and the founder of Five and a Fade.
