KSR Staff Predictions: Kentucky vs. Tennessee Tech

by: KSR2 hours ago

UF-369669 — Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats football on 11/8/2025 - Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio/On3

Of all of the home schedules we’ve seen over the years watching Kentucky football, this was certainly one of them. There were a couple of highs — Florida and maybe Eastern Michigan? — and many lows — Texas and Tennessee — but here we are, entering the Kroger Field finale vs. Tennessee Tech, with a chance to make it five wins with two shots at bowl eligibility to wrap up the regular season. Beat the Golden Eagles, one or both of Vanderbilt and Louisville, then come out on top in the bowl? There isn’t a soul in the state that wouldn’t love a seven- or eight-win finish, but it all starts on Saturday.

Can the Wildcats keep the streak going? The KSR crew shares their game predictions — and we think you’re gonna like ’em.

Nick Roush

Tennessee Tech isn’t your average FCS foe. Set the record aside for a moment. The typical FCS opponent does a couple of things well. They might have a stud running back or pass rusher. If you take them out of the game, it’s easy peasy. That’s not the case for the Golden Eagles.

Kekoa Visperas is an efficient quarterback who will use his legs to get aggravating yards that keep drives alive. Their top two backs are averaging a combined 7.1 yards per carry. That’s a recipe that will put the banged-up Kentucky defense on edge. Even when you think the Cats have created a big enough lead, Tennessee Tech will find a way to stay in the game.

A clean game from Cutter Boley will go a long way. The good news is that the redshirt freshman has been on fire at home, completing nearly 80% of his passes over the last three games at Kroger Field. If he can play mistake-free, Kentucky will generate enough offense to put this one away in the fourth quarter.

Score: Kentucky 35, Tennessee Tech 24

Drew Franklin

Kentucky has finally found a little momentum, and this Senior Day matchup against an FCS foe sets up perfectly to keep it rolling. Tennessee Tech is unbeaten, but there is still a significant gap between the SEC and the 11 other teams on its schedule. The Wildcats should have more size, more speed, and more depth for the Golden Eagles to handle, especially up front. Cutter Boley should continue his steady rise, and with the way Kentucky has run the ball the past two weeks, the offense shouldn’t have any trouble finishing drives early.

Defensively, Brad White’s group has completely suffocated its last two league opponents. Expect the Cats to take control by halftime, even against a team as talented as the Golden Eagles for their level. It’ll be a comfortable Saturday in Lexington to send off the senior class before the two-game road stretch to finish the season.

Score: Kentucky 45, Tennessee Tech 14

Tyler Thompson

Is this the chance to exhale that BBN’s been waiting for on the football front? Tennessee Tech is good, yes, but the Golden Eagles are still an FCS squad playing an SEC squad. Their offense will have its moments — remember that Kentucky’s defense is pretty wounded right now — but ultimately, the Cats’ talent and speed will win out, allowing them to build on the momentum from the Florida and Auburn wins.

I want to see more from Cutter Boley and Kentucky’s young playmakers, but I also want some feel-good moments for the seniors. Give me two touchdowns for Seth McGowan and a touchdown catch by Josh Kattus, who hasn’t scored since the Georgia game. On the defensive side, it’s time to see who steps up with Jordan Lovett and Sam Greene out for the season, and Alex Afari likely missing the game after suffering an injury vs. Florida.

Ultimately, let’s have a feel-good, stress-free Saturday before locking into the final stretch of the season. We certainly deserve it.

Score: Kentucky 38, Tennessee Tech 17

Jacob Polacheck

I’m finally going to do it. I’m going to predict Kentucky football to win a game.

I’ve been a bit harsh on this team this season, predicting them to lose nearly every game they’ve played. Over the last two weeks, they’ve made me look dumb. I will give credit where it’s due; this team has looked really good in wins over Auburn and Florida.

Cutter Boley will be expected to have a good game, and with the running game complementing him, I expect a big offensive day for the Cats. By this point in the season, Boley has developed good chemistry with his pass catchers, and this could be a game to show that off. Seth McGowan and Dante Dowdell will continue to do what they do as the Golden Eagles struggle to find answers.

Score: Kentucky 41, Tennessee Tech 17

Zack Geoghegan

Tennessee Tech brings the top offense from the FCS (45.2 PPG) to Kroger Field on Saturday, but the Golden Eagles have been held to under 28 points in each of their last two games. They’ll struggle even more to find the end zone against a red-hot Kentucky defense that has given up just 10 combined points to SEC teams over its last two games. I’m predicting the Tennessee Tech offense adds a touchdown early in the first half before Brad White shuts them down for good.

Offensively, Cutter Boley will toss for three touchdowns while adding another with his legs. Jason Patterson will clean up the scoring on the ground with Kentucky’s fifth and final touchdown of the night. The score will look close after 15 minutes of play before UK blows the game wide open en route to a third straight win.

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Score: Kentucky 35, Tennessee Tech 10

Adam Luckett

Styles make fights. Feel like we say that every week. Tennessee Tech plays a brand of football that has given Kentucky some massive problems all season. The Golden Eagles will bring a spread tempo offense to Kroger Field against a UK defense that will be playing without multiple starters. UK is probably going to give up yards and points on Saturday.

How scary this game gets will be determined by the offense. Kentucky has a massive size advantage on the line of scrimmage and should be able to overwhelm Tennessee Tech, but this defense uses a lot of post-snap movement and will try to confuse UK. If the Cats do not handle that well, and the run game struggles to get going, this could become a tense four-quarter game.

But the recent play from Kentucky’s offense should have everyone feeling good. It will be essential that Kentucky runs the football, but Cutter Boley has shown the ability to win on third-and-long. Plus, there should be some explosive play opportunities in the passing game throughout the afternoon due to Tennessee Tech’s aggressive play style.

The Golden Eagles hang around, but Kentucky keeps them at arm’s length for most of the game. Do not be surprised if yet another game with an FCS opponent is a one-score difference in the fourth quarter.

Score: Kentucky 34, Tennessee Tech 20

Jack Pilgrim

Of course, Kentucky happened to find the FCS juggernaut ranked inside the top 10 nationally without a single loss through 10 games, right when the Wildcats are finding their groove coming off back-to-back SEC wins. Factor in some injuries for the blue and white, and I could see this being closer than hoped to put us just one win away from bowl eligibility, but not feeling all warm and fuzzy about it getting done.

That’s not my expectation, though.

The good news is the offense is finally humming and confidence is growing for Cutter Boley as the face of the program while the defense was a muffed punt away from holding SEC opponents out of the end zone for two straight weeks. It just feels like all of the work they’ve put in up to this point to get all of the moving parts to come together is starting to pay off and, as crazy as it sounds, we’re trending toward 7-5 as more likely than 5-7. Tell yourself that was possible after the embarrassing Tennessee loss!

Momentum builds and the Cats roll, closing out the home schedule at Kroger Field with a nice, feel-good blowout win.

Score: Kentucky 41, Tennessee Tech 13

Country Boy’s Prediction

A guaranteed good time with an ice-cold Cougar Bait Blonde Ale. Your go-to brew for cheering on the Cats, Cougar Bait is a light and refreshing blonde ale for every tailgate.