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."
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."
