I seriously contemplated having “The Dirty Orange at Kentucky” in my title, but in an attempt to remain professional I stuck with the traditional Tennessee. Professionalism is not something that is easy to maintain when dealing with the Vols of Tennessee, but I am doing my best to uphold it.

Add those ugly orange uniforms with the ever-annoying “Rocky Top” rendition after every single two-yard gain along with a losing streak that reaches the age of prohibition, and you have reason for frustration.

Kentucky has entered this game with a high level of optimism many times. Hell, they have even had this game seemingly won or been on the brink of victory on multiple occasions. Still, the outcome has always been the same. Tennessee always finishes on top.

Is 2009 finally the year? Is this the year that the ‘Cats get over the hump?

They enter the game coming off of a road win at Georgia. Something that they have never done before during the said streak.

As exciting as ending that hideous streak would be, there is something even greater staring Kentucky directly in the face. With a win, the Wildcats will finish second in the SEC East, something they have failed to accomplish since the league separated into two divisions in 1992.

A win also guarantees a New Year’s Day Bowl Game and signifies that Rich Brooks has led the University of Kentucky football team to that crucial next step.

The Vols enter the game with Kentucky coming off of a 31-16 victory over Vanderbilt. They have had an up-and-down season and have successfully won two games in a row only once this season (10/31 – USC 31-13, 11/7 – 56-28). On Saturday they look to win two strait for the second time this season.

At the beginning of the season much of the talk surrounding Tennessee’s struggles involved the play of senior quarterback Jonathan Crompton. He played fairly well in their opening day crushing of winless Western Kentucky, but then really struggled in his next two contests, both losses.

In those two games, he was a combined 24-45 for 186 yards, while throwing zero touchdowns and five interceptions. But, new head coach Lane Kiffin stuck with his struggling quarterback and eventually Crompton responded.

He has thrown for 2,345 yards this season along with 25 touchdowns. But, the key number is he has thrown just 11 picks all season long. He threw seven in their first three games and has only four since.

However, his successes haven’t automatically transferred to road games. Only three of his touchdown passes have taken place away from Knoxville, TN.

The key to his recent success could be the Tennessee offensive line. Simply put, the Vols’ up front do not allow their quarterback to get hit. Their pass protection is superb as they have allowed the least amount of quarterback sacks in the SEC.

Another player that benefits from their strong offensive line is senior running back Montario Hardesty. At 6-1, 215-pounds, he is a big back who runs downfield and keeps his feet constantly moving. He doesn’t really have that breakaway speed that you look for in a back, but he is exceptional at bouncing off of contact and finding ways to get that extra yard.

The only question mark surrounding Hardesty entering the season was his durability. He has answered those questions vehemenently by carrying the ball 225 times this season for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns. Hardesty is also a threat in the passing game, with 19 catches for 212 yards, and is an effective blocker in blitz pickup.

It has now been three games since Mississippi State’s Anthony Dixon ran all over the Wildcats’ defense. Hardesty is easily the best back that Kentucky has seen since that gloomy Halloween night. It will be interesting to see how their defense responds after having a much better game last week.

Tennessee’s main receiving threats are a pair of juniors in Gerald Jones and Denarious Moore. After slow starts due to injuries for both Jones and Moore, they are healthy now and have provided Crompton with legit receiving threats.

In the last seven games, Jones has caught 33 passes for 468 yards and four touchdowns. Moore has 34 catches for 451 yards and six touchdowns in his last eight games.

When Lane Kiffin came to Knoxville, so did daddy Monte Kiffin and his vaunted “Tampa 2″ defense. The Tennessee “D” will be the best that Kentucky has seen since they played that three-game stretch that included Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.

During the middle portion of the season, the Vols were simply impossible to move the ball against. But, they have suffered through some injuries, as of late, which has made them more vulnerable. Still, this Tennessee defense is really good.

They have a plus-4 turnover margin on the season and in their last five games they have produced 13 takeaways while only turning the ball over five times. They have forced at least one turnover in their last six games.

When they create turnovers, they score. On the season they have created 20 turnovers, scoring 15 touchdowns and three field goals.

Junior safety Eric Berry, who entered the season on pace to set a school record for interceptions and the NCAA record for career interception return yards, is the focal point of this defense. But, his role has altered dramatically with Monte Kiffin at the helm.

This season he is moving around on defense more and is often found closer to the line of scrimmage. He is a very versatile defender who has the ability to stuff the box on run plays, blitz the quarterback, and play man coverage on pass routes. He is their stopper.

He has 14 interceptions on his career, but as I mentioned above, the majority of those came in his first two seasons. This season he is second on the team in tackles with 75 tackles and has three double-digit tackle games on the season.

Rico McCoy headlines the Vols’ linebacking core and leads them in tackles with 99. He suffered through knee injuries early but appears to finally be healthy. In their last game against Vandy he recorded a career-high 15 tackles.

Their defensive line is led by potential first round draft pick Dan Williams. After battling through weight issues during the early parts of his career, he has finally stepped up during his senior campaign. The defensive tackle is nearly unblockable at times and has recorded 56 tackles and two sacks on the year.

The key to this football game is going to be the running game on both sides. When UK has had success, their offensive line has been tremendous in creating holes and their backs have found ways to run the ball down their opponent’s throat. Tennesse, on the other hand, likes to get on schedule by running the ball successfully on first down. They are averaging just under 5.0 yards-per-carry on first down.

On the contrary, if you can get the Vols off schedule they struggle. Crompton is completing less than 40-percent of his passes in 3rd and long situations.

In keeping with the theme of the ground game, the Vols are 1-4 when their opponent has more rushing yards.

Kentucky has to find a way to release Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb and keep Montario Hardesty in check.

If the ‘Cats struggle with their traditional ground game, look for them to move to the Wildcat Formation. Tennesse has been good against traditional offenses all season long, but they have struggled at containing gimmicks. Ole Miss’ Dexter McCluster ran for a school-record 282 yards and four touchdowns in the Rebels’ 42-17 dismantling of the Vols, and the majority of his damage was done through the Wildcat Formation

So, much to the delight of UK fans, expect a heavy dosage of Randall Cobb and the Wildcat. Add in the fact that Cobb has added incentive after being neglected by his hometown team and his struggles last season at Tennessee, and it all adds up to a big game for RC18 and “The Legend of Cobb” sign.

Whether or not Kentucky defeats Tennessee on Saturday, the Wildcat seniors will still compete in their fourth consecutive bowl game to close out their careers. Something that even the most optimistic person would find hard to imagine.

Still, they like nearly the last three decades of Wildcats, have never felt the joy of defeating the Ugly Orange of Tennessee.

What better way to send off the seniors than by celebrating a win over Tennessee at Commonwealth Stadium. (Click here to read Guy’s article on UK’s senior class)

Just the thought of a Kentucky victory leads me away from my journalistic instincts and toward a thunderous rendition of WHOMP!!!

Put Your Whomps Shoes On
Tie Them Things Up Tight
The ‘Cats are About to Whomp
On the Vols Tonight