King of Props: Will to win
Playing in bordering states, Kentucky and Tennessee have had a football rivalry for 130 years. Last year’s renewal saw the Volunteers win a 45-42 shootout in which both quarterbacks passed for more than 300 yards. Although Hendon Hooker has emerged as a Heisman Trophy favorite while guiding Tennessee to a 7-0 record this season, it’s the signal-caller on the other side that we’re backing tonight in Knoxville:
The bet: Over 243½ passing yards for Kentucky quarterback Will Levis (DraftKings)
Considered a potential first-round pick in the next NFL draft, Levis is a senior who transferred from Penn State before last season. He cleared this total by more than 100 yards in that 2021 meeting, completing 31 of his 49 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for two scores and helped the Wildcats maintain a three-to-one advantage in time of possession.
Levis faces a Vols pass defense that ranks next-to-last in the country, allowing 330 yards through the air per game. A contributing factor has been absences in the secondary, as cornerback Warren Burrell had season-ending shoulder surgery and fellow starter Kamal Hadden has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury.
Hooker triggers an explosive offensive attack that leads the nation in scoring. Kentucky must be able to trade points like it did a year ago, and Levis should get plenty of opportunities to pile up passing yardage.
More must-reads: