Gut feelings can sometimes be the best feelings when it comes to figuring out how a football game is going to turn out.

Take Saturday’s game at Neyland Stadium, for instance.

No. 6 (College Football Playoff ranking) Kentucky has won just once on Rocky Top since 1984. No. 13 Tennessee, meanwhile, is going to be surly after its terrible loss at South Carolina two weeks ago and indignant at the fact that it was dissed by the College Football Playoff Committee by ranking Alabama, a team the Volunteers beat by 16 points, No. 5.

Besides not making any sense, the decision was just wrong.

Oh well, all that can be rectified Saturday night.

If you look at the Wildcats’ resume, it’s not that impressive. They beat South Carolina and LSU in overtime. Then, what looked to be monumental tests with Texas A&M and Oklahoma, turned out to be battles with mediocre teams. Their only loss was by four touchdowns — to ‘Bama.

My gut tells me, besides that it’s too big, that Tennessee is going to come out fast and assert itself in the first half. That early dominance will carry over into a win.

What works in Kentucky’s favor is that the Wildcats are very disciplined. They are among the least penalized teams in the country and they don’t turn the ball over. Quarterback Kenny Minchey has thrown just one interception.

Tennessee, meanwhile, may have one of the most aggressive defenses in the country. The Vols lead the nation with 35 sacks and are eighth in the country with 66 tackles for loss.

When Minchey gets that kind of heat, he may do things he hasn’t done before.

On the other side of the ball, there’s another gut feeling: I’m convinced Faizon Brandon is going to start at quarterback for Tennessee.

At this stage early in his career, sophomore George MacIntyre has hit his ceiling and everyone knows it. He doesn’t throw the ball downfield and he’s not particularly mobile. He’s a manager.

Brandon, on the other hand, is still a wild card. He hasn’t played since a shoulder injury from the Texas game restricted his play in the first half against Auburn in the first week of October. His shoulder should be ready. After MacIntyre botched the fourth-and-one play against the Gamecocks, it might be a good time for a change.

That’s why I’m feeling that, behind Brandon, Tennessee plays itself back in the CFP picture.

Tennessee 27, Kentucky 21

CALEB JARREAU: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 24

The betting spread (Tennessee a 6.5-point favorite) may be a little much for this game, but I think the Vols will do what they've done historically to Kentucky and pull out the win.

TREVOR MCGEE: Tennessee 21, Kentucky 13

Tennessee needs to go undefeated in the month of November to keep a College Football Playoff hope alive. The Vols will get the job done with a resume booster over No. 6 Kentucky, but it'll be because of first-year mistakes from head coach Will Stein and quarterback Kenny Minchey.

JACK GLENNON: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 17

Though Kentucky comes to town as the No. 8 team in the country, Tennessee will continue its dominance over the Wildcats once again on Saturday.

THEO COLLI: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 24

The Neyland effect will once again be in full force as Kentucky comes to town. While the Wildcats have played some of their best football on the road this season, such as against the Aggies, I expect the Vols to handle business in a tight contest. The defense will be the deciding factor, as some late turnovers will allow the Vols to walk away from this one without being handed perhaps a final blow to their playoff chance.

I also see the opportunity for George MacIntyre to "break out", giving the run game some breathing room.

Source: Yahoo Sports