Currently, Tennessee boasts one of the better defenses in the SEC.

In terms of stopping the run, the Vols sit at fifth in the conference at 109.9 yards allowed per game on the ground.

However, their next opponent, Kentucky owns one of the better rush attacks the team will see this season. Through seven games, the Wildcats average 155.1 yards per match on rushes.

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Due to this physicality up front, Tennessee knows it will need to control the line of scrimmage. Josh Heupel has had prior success doing so against Kentucky with a 2-0 record over the program.

Keeping gap integrity and filling run lanes will be the difference in keeping this slate clean, though.

“Well, you got to stop them early at the line of scrimmage," said Heupel. "But their offensive line, their tight ends, they’re extremely physical. They do a really good job getting a hat on a hat. We got to be violent, we got to be disruptive. You got to have gap integrity between all their different personnel groupings, their shifts, their emotions. Got to do a great job communicating and being gapped out. At the end of the day, when you meet the ball carrier, you got to do a great job of tackling, too."

What makes Kentucky's run game so lethal is the personnel at running back. Ray Davis currently ranks first in the conference in rushing yards per game with 111.6 yards on the ground per contest.

The running back began his career at Temple and Vanderbilt before transferring to Lexington this season. This change has already paid dividends as he's on pace for a career season and set a personal best with eight rushing scores this year.

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Due to his time as a Commodore, Tennessee's coaching staff is familiar with Davis' abilities.

“It’s one of the best rushing attacks in the country," said Vols line backer coach Brian Jean-Mary. "We thought Ray Davis was one of the better running backs in the conference last year when he was at Vanderbilt and he’s continued that over at Kentucky. They have a big, physical offensive line. Great blocking, athletic tight ends. They present a real challenge for us. By every measure you can imagine, they run the ball at a high clip and do it very, very well. It’s kind of a perfect marriage with Ray Davis and their rushing attack. It’s a big challenge for us. We have to do a great job of being in our gaps and getting off our blocks and tackling at a high level.”

Although Kentucky poses a threat on the ground, Tennessee is taking the same approach is does every Saturday.

The team looks to stop the run first and build from there.

Line backer Aaron Beasley will be at the forefront of this effort as the middle of the Vols' defense. Currently, he owns a team-high 45 tackles along 8.5 tackles for loss.

"I think each week, you go in wanting to stop the run," said Beasley. "I think that's the mindset going into any week no matter who it is. I think they do a little more of that, just running the ball down hill... I think just being a little bit more disciplined with our focus. With our eyes and of course, stopping the run, for sure."

The game will kick-off at 7 p.m. ET in Lexington for the Vols second-straight road match. Tennessee is still looking for its first true road win of the season and stopping the run will have to be a focus for this to happen.

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