Tim Couch believes Cats have chance to win at No. 3 Tennessee

Hendon Hooker shredded the UK defense for 45 points last year. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Tennessee has scored 30 or more points in 10 straight games. The Vols also have 217 points in the first half of seven games, an average of 31 points per first half this season.

Receiver Jalin Hyat has 769 yards on 40 catches this season — an average 19.2 yards per catch. He has nine TD catches in the last three games on just 17 catches and in his last six quarters of play has 381 yards and seven scores. Hyatt now has eight catches of 40 plus yards this season.

Want more? In the last two weeks quarterback Hendon Hooker is 28-for-35 passing for 506 yards and seven touchdowns between the hash marks.

And for those wondering, Tennessee has allowed just 245 yards rushing in the last three games. In seven games, the Vols have given up just 636 yards rushing and only three runs of 20 or more yards.
Saturday the undefeated No. 3 Vols host Kentucky, a team Tennessee beat 45-42 last season in Lexington.

But former UK/NFL quarterback Tim Couch believes there is a “chance” that No. 19 Kentucky can win in Knoxville despite being almost a two-touchdown underdog.

“With the way we are starting to run the ball with (Chris) Rodriguez back like he did against Mississippi State, with Will (Levis) getting healthier, the offensive line improving and our defense has really impressed me all year, there is a chance,” said Couch.

The Vols beat then No. 1 Alabama 52-49 two weeks ago and could likely secure a spot in the national playoffs by winning the rest of their regular season games, including one at Georgia on Nov. 6.

“Tennessee is not going to play like they did against Alabama. You can’t do that every week. That’s one of those games you get up for and just play out of your mind,” White said. “But they are going to be hard to beat. No question about that.”

Couch hopes Kentucky’s “different style” of play might fluster the Vols. He knows coach Mark Stoops will want to shorten the game with a strong running game even if the Vols have been hard to run against this season.

“Rodriguez will probably get 30 carries to shorten the clock and keep their offense off the field hopefully,” Couch said. “If we are able to move it like that, Will could get some big throws.”

“If Will just does what we have been doing all year, they certainly have a shot at beating Tennessee. It won’t be easy but it is not impossible.”