The No. 6 Kentucky Wildcats visit the No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Saturday evening, and the lower-ranked team is the betting favorite. The case for Tennessee starts on the ground, where its offense runs for 213 yards a game against a Kentucky defense that allows about 113.

The Matchup

Records: Kentucky 7-1, Tennessee 6-2 (4-1 at home)

Rankings: Kentucky No. 6, Tennessee No. 13

Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

Kickoff: Saturday, November 7, 6:15 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Line (DraftKings): Tennessee -5.5, O/U 49.5

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What Decides It

Tennessee's run game against Kentucky's run defense is strength on strength, and the winner of it likely wins the game.

Kentucky's run defense is the sturdier half of its unit, giving up far fewer yards on the ground than through the air. Tennessee leans on DeSean Bishop, who has 957 yards and 11 touchdowns on 171 carries.

If Kentucky holds up there, Tennessee still has a fallback. The Volunteers throw for about 182 yards a game, and Kentucky allows about 249 through the air, so the pass defense is the softer target.

Tennessee's defense is the best unit on the field, and Kenny Minchey has to solve it.

The Volunteers allow just 16 points and about 288 yards a game. Kentucky scores nearly 33 a game, so something gives when the Wildcats have the ball.

Minchey has been careful with it, throwing 14 touchdowns and 1 interception. Kentucky passes for about 219 yards a game, but Tennessee allows only about 166, so the Volunteers' pass defense gives up well less than the Wildcats usually throw for.

Kentucky's streak is real, but it has been living on the edge.

The Wildcats have won at least 5 straight. Two of those came back to back by a single point in overtime, both 35-34, and a 21-13 road win sits in there too.

Tennessee arrives off a 27-24 road loss, its second defeat in the last five games. At home, though, the Volunteers are 4-1.

Players to Watch

Kentucky Wildcats

Passing: Kenny Minchey – 160-232, 1,755 YDS, 14-1 (TD-INT)

Rushing: CJ Baxter – 88 ATT, 487 YDS, 8 TD

Receiving: Kenny Darby – 38 REC, 507 YDS, 3 TD

Baxter is the player to track. Kentucky runs for 167 yards a game, and Tennessee gives up about 123 on the ground, so a productive Baxter keeps Minchey out of obvious passing downs.

Tennessee Volunteers

Passing: George MacIntyre – 69-103, 728 YDS, 2-3 (TD-INT)

Rushing: DeSean Bishop – 171 ATT, 957 YDS, 11 TD

Receiving: Mike Matthews – 34 REC, 528 YDS, 3 TD

MacIntyre has more interceptions than touchdown passes. Against a Kentucky secondary that has given up yards, Matthews is the target who can make the Wildcats pay for crowding the line.

Prediction

Tennessee's defense is the most reliable unit in this game, and its run game gives it a way to control the clock against a Kentucky team that has needed overtime twice to keep its streak alive. Kentucky's balance keeps it close, but the Wildcats' pass defense gives Tennessee an escape valve if Bishop is slowed. Tennessee 27, Kentucky 21.