ESPN uses math to determine outcome of Kentucky Wildcats vs Tennessee Vols
The Tennessee Vols are set to host the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night in a pivotal SEC East matchup. If the Vols win, it'll set up a huge showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs next weekend in Athens in a game that could determine the winner of the SEC East. But for that game to truly […]
The Tennessee Vols are set to host the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday night in a pivotal SEC East matchup.
If the Vols win, it'll set up a huge showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs next weekend in Athens in a game that could determine the winner of the SEC East.
But for that game to truly matter, Tennessee has to get by a solid Kentucky team on Saturday.
Fortunately for the Vols, the numbers say they should win big.
ESPN's Football Power Index uses math/simulations to predict the outcome of a game.
It's probably the most objective method for predicting a college football game.
Here's ESPN's explanation of how the Football Power Index works:
The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete.
The Football Power Index has the Vols beating Kentucky on Saturday by 13.4 points.
This is certainly a game that could get out of hand in Tennessee's favor. The Wildcats are good, but I don't think their offense can keep up with the Vols' offense. And the fact that Kentucky's strength is its running game doesn't bode well for the Wildcats since Tennessee's run defense has played at a high level.
If the Vols execute the way they have been, then Tennessee shouldn't have any problems with Kentucky on Saturday night.
Featured image via USA TODAY Sports