Tennessee thrash Kentucky 34-6 to stay alive in playoff race

The Tennessee Volunteers are still alive. Ranked No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Vols dismantled the sixth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 34-6 in Knoxville.

Of the Wildcats' 10 offensive drives, three ended in punts, two in turnovers on downs, two in fumbles and one in an interception. They managed only two field goals in the whole game.

The game was close for most of the night, with Tennessee leading 13-6 entering the fourth quarter. But the Vols took control in the final period, turning a Kentucky fumble into a touchdown.

Kentucky failed to convert a fourth-and-one at midfield on the next drive, and it took just two plays for the Vols to score again and make it a three-touchdown lead. The Wildcats were then stopped at the Tennessee 22, and the Vols ran on 10 consecutive plays to finish a 78-yard touchdown drive.

The win leaves Tennessee at 7-2, and 4-2 in SEC play, very much alive in the College Football Playoff race. Kentucky are also 7-2, 4-2 in the SEC, but their six-game winning streak has been snapped.

Tennessee made eight tackles for loss and forced three turnovers. Kentucky had come into the game with one of the best turnover margins in the country.

DeSean Bishop rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

The Vols were motivated by the fact that Alabama, a team they had beaten by 16 points a few weeks ago, was ranked No. 5 in the first College Football Playoff poll. This was their second "signature" victory of the season. Their loss to South Carolina two weeks ago had made the playoff equation harder.

Kentucky's path to the College Football Playoff has just become more difficult. Losing to Tennessee takes away any margin for error they might have had.

The Vols travel to Texas A&M next week, while Kentucky head to Florida.