Kentucky coach Mark Stoops met with the media Monday to preview Saturday's game at Tennessee.
Here are some key notes and quotes from Stoops' comments on the Vols:
– Stoops called Tennessee "a team that is absolutely playing on fire right now." On the offense specifically, he said the Vols are "playing incredibly high right now – just with their tempo, the way they're playing at quarterback, across the board." He made it clear that "they're extremely hard to defend."
– Stoops said Tennessee's defense is "getting big-time stops when they need to" and is good about getting pressure on the opposing quarterback.
– Stoops on playing Tennessee: "Obviously, a big challenge ahead of us. I think the bye – hopefully – came at a good time for us."
– Stoops said the Vols have wide receivers that "can really run" and "a quarterback that's playing at the level he is and how accurate he is" and that "gives them a lot of space."
– Stoops on facing the No. 3 ranked team in the country: "I think it's human nature when you're playing a team that's playing this well, you better play at a high clip or you'll get embarrassed. They can play very fast, they're scoring points on everybody. When you're playing the No. 1 offense in the country, you better be locked in."
– Stoops on the rivalry with Tennessee: "Every game for us is important. I've always said (the Tennessee game) is important – of course it's important. It's an SEC East team that we have go on the road that's very close in proximity. It's important."