Kickoff time and broadcast details set for Tennessee football vs. Kentucky

The kickoff time and broadcast details for the Tennessee Football vs. Kentucky game have been officially set. Kickoff at Neyland Stadium is at 7:45 p.m. ET and the SEC Network will broadcast the game.

The SEC originally announced the conference matchup as a flex game 12 days before kickoff, with the game starting at either 7:30 p.m. or 7:45 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and the SEC Network. While Texas A&M beat LSU and Kentucky lost to Auburn, Tennessee's matchup against the Wildcats fell to worst television.

Other top SEC games on November's opening weekend include Florida-Georgia at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, Ole Miss-Arkansas at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN and South Carolina-Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Tennessee and Kentucky are in very different positions as the border rivalry game begins. The Vols are 6-1 (3-1 SEC) and enter the board matchup on an open date after beating Alabama. Kentucky is currently 3-5 (1-5 SEC) after blowing a double-digit lead in a home loss to Auburn on Saturday. Aside from a surprising win over Ole Miss, it was a very forgettable season for Mark Stoops and the Wildcats.

Kentucky is looking for every win possible to achieve bowl eligibility, and a surprise win over the Vols would be a major boost to an otherwise disappointing season. Tennessee needs another win to remain in a strong position for the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Josh Heupel is undefeated in his first three games as Tennessee's head coach against Kentucky. The Vols win in Lexington in 2021 was Heupel's first ranked win in Tennessee. Mark Stoops is 2-9 against Tennessee in his 11 seasons as Kentucky head coach, with wins over the Vols in 2017 and 2020.