New chapter in rivalries begins with Kentucky

New chapter in rivalries begins with Kentucky

Tennessee fans might want to change their reading habits this summer.

Fans naturally read about their favorite school when they pick up one of the many preseason football magazines. Then, they're apt to check out their biggest rival, which, in UT's case, is either Florida or Alabama.

Or at least, it was Florida or Alabama. Now, Kentucky should be higher on the reading list of UT fans.

That's right, Kentucky - the team UT has beaten 25 consecutive times. But don't count No. 26 just yet.

In fact, UT football has slipped to the point that it has more in common with Kentucky than it does with either Florida or Alabama. In coach Derek Dooley's first season, the Vols are in no position to contend for a conference championship. Like Kentucky, they will be trying to become bowl eligible.

However, football isn't the only reason Kentucky will be UT's biggest rival in the 2010-11 school year. Basketball will further bolster the rivalry.

Coach Bruce Pearl has elevated UT basketball to the point that it can regularly challenge the conference's marquee basketball program for supremacy. Because of that, Kentucky-Tennessee has become the best basketball rivalry in the SEC.

In Pearl's first four seasons at UT, the Vols finished ahead of the Wildcats in the SEC East standings; this past season, Kentucky won the SEC championship and 33 games, but the Vols were still playing in the NCAA tournament after the Wildcats had gone home.

Coach John Calipari might have recruited another super class to help compensate for the Wildcats' freshman migration to the NBA. But Pearl has recruited a big-time class as well,

So you can expect more of the same next season.

You also can expect more of the same in women's basketball, where for the second consecutive year UT and Kentucky likely will be the two best teams in the SEC.

And it's not just that Kentucky has become prominent in women's basketball. It has done so with ex-Lady Vols. Head coach Matthew Mitchell spent a season as a graduate assistant with the Lady Vols, and two of his assistants - Kyra Elzy and Shalon Pillow - played for the Lady Vols.

The programs will have another connection this season. Former Pat Summitt assistant coach Mickie DeMoss, who left the Lady Vols to become the head coach at Kentucky, has rejoined UT after working as an assistant coach at Texas.

Kentucky football has just as many Tennessee connections. Former UT assistant coach Randy Sanders is Kentucky's offensive coordinator under first-year coach Joker Phillips, former UT quarterback Tee Martin is in his first year on Kentucky's staff, and Knoxville's Randall Cobb is the Wildcats' best player.

Imagine how badly those guys would love to end Kentucky's losing streak to the Vols by winning in Neyland stadium this November. The game could be just as significant for the Vols.

No one expects them to beat Florida or Alabama. But no matter how bad UT's record is heading into the last game of the season, its fans will expect the Vols to beat Kentucky.

The expectations coupled with the uncertainty could make Kentucky versus Tennessee at Neyland Stadium the most anticipated game of the season.

And add another chapter to what has become UT's biggest rivalry.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

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