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Tennessee looks to lock up spot in SEC title game

Nov 24, 2007 - 11:34 AM No. 19 Tennessee (8-3) at Kentucky (7-4) 1:30 pm EST

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Ticker) -- If history is any indication, No. 19 Tennessee should have no problem securing a spot in the Southeastern Conference title game when it visits Kentucky on Saturday.

Tennessee has won 22 straight games against the Wildcats, which is now the longest active winning streak against one opponent in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Earlier this season, Navy snapped a 43-game losing streak against Notre Dame, which had been an NCAA record for most consecutive defeats against the same team.

Tennessee (8-3, 5-2 SEC East) has not lost to Kentucky since a 17-12 setback in Knoxville in 1984.

Reaching the title game for the first time since 2004 would be extra satisfying for Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, who has come under criticism this season.

Tennessee is one-half game behind Georgia in the East, but would win a tiebreaker based on its 35-14 win over the Bulldogs on October 6.

Top-ranked Louisiana State will represent the SEC West in the conference title game to be played in Atlanta next week.

Last week, the Volunteers nearly lost control of their own fate before rallying for a 25-24 win over Vanderbilt. Tennessee erased a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit.

While they have dominated the all-time series against the Wildcats, the Volunteers should expect a much tougher test this time around.

Kentucky (7-4, 3-4 East) already is headed to bowls in back-to-back years for the first time since the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

Also, the Wildcats already own one huge win at home this season, a triple-overtime upset of then-No. 1 LSU on October 13.

However, Kentucky has lost three of its last four games, including last week's 24-13 setback at Georgia.