Kentucky got outscored by Tennessee in a game last year that former UK player Jeff Piecoro says the Cats have to be able to win. (Vicky Graff Photo)
How many times have you heard that Kentucky’s key game this football season will be week two at Florida?
The feeling is if coach Mark Stoops’ team can win at The Swamp, then Kentucky is a legit Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title contender, especially with Georgia having to come to Lexington in November.
No one wants Kentucky to win the SEC East more than former player Jeff Piecoro, the UK Radio Network analyst and new sports director for ABC-36 in Lexington. However, he thinks there is another game — Oct. 29 at Tennessee — that is more important than the Florida game.
“Until Kentucky can consistently beat them (Tennessee) I really believe … Everybody talks beating Florida and then you are right there with Georgia for king of the East. To me, unless you can beat Tennessee you are not at that point,” Piecoro said.
“Four years ago they had that stinker at Tennessee. Then the same thing happened last year. Tennessee has been in one of its biggest ruts in a long time. They may have some things ironed out but Kentucky is still 2-8 against Tennessee in the last 10 years.
“Kentucky has got to be able to beat Tennessee on a consistent basis. We beat them my sophomore and senior years. This is a game they have to win.”
Piecoro has the perspective of a former player most of us don’t have and his passion for beating Tennessee is contagious.
“There is so much emphasis on beating Louisville. You think you win that game and you will win recruiting battles in the state. I could care less about Louisville. They are not in the SEC,” Piecoro said.
“To me Kentucky’s biggest rival is Tennessee. Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee are three key games this year but Tennessee is the one they just have to win.”
4 Responses
Well said, Jeff, well said.
Least we forget – it’s ALWAYS BEEN UT 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The window for getting wins against the Tennessee football team may have come and gone for teams like us. Yes, we are a better football team now than we were 10 years ago, but so is Tennessee. There are a lot of unanswered questions about our team coming into this season. I don’t see a win over Tennessee as one of those answers. The real day of reckoning comes when Levis and C Rod leave our program. Has Stoops developed this program to be able replace talent, injuries, and suspensions without missing a step? The next 3 seasons will give us those answers. If those answers come in the positive form, Stoops will be the hottest coaching commodity in the country. Will he stay if a team like Texas or Oklahoma come after him? If those answers come more in the negative form, will we want to keep him? The next 3 to 4 years will be an interesting time for Kentucky football.
UT is the "Big UN" on the schedule, no doubt, always has been, Piecoro is right. I also think UK must beat Louisville for state dominance in recruiting if nothing else. The game in Gainesville is always tough, and will be this year. The Tennessee game is going to be the toughest outing in 2022 for the Cats I believe, and it always seems UT wants it more than UK IMO. UK had their chance in Lexington last year and blew it. That has to change. This year UK may just knock down that door. I sure hope so. UT deserves a good A$$ whooping, they are an arrogant bunch. Every game is important, UK must take them one at a time and prepare accordingly. No looking ahead. It starts with the opener. Stoops has the talent now to rise to the occasion and accomplish great things this year. Just go do it Cats!!!