The Tennessee Titans are heading into their Week 9 matchup against the New England Patriots desperately needing a win. After last week’s blowout loss, they fell to 1-6 on the season.

One of the only bright spots from their 52-14 loss to the Detroit Lions last week was the play of wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

Ridley had gotten off to a slow start to the season, but following the DeAndre Hopkins trade he looked much better in Week 8. He went off for 10 catches for 143 yards, finally showing off the potential and talent he has to be a legitimate No. 1 target for the Titans.

Following his big game and looking ahead to this week’s game, Ridley made a very bold statement.

“It’s just about getting better,” Ridley said. I think my preparation all week — I just worked every moment I was here throughout the day. . . . I just worked, and it showed up. I should have all games like that.”

There is no question that he has the talent and ability to play like he did last week all of the time. He has always possesses elite route-running, speed, and hands.

If he can just follow through on that statement and prove that he should be a star each and every week, Tennessee would be in a much better place. They certainly need him to be that kind of threat for second-year quarterback Will Levis.

So far this season as a whole in seven games, Ridley has caught 22 passes for 326 yards and a touchdown. Hopefully, those numbers are about to start rising.

Going up against the Patriots offers the Titans a chance at a much-needed win. New England has not been great this season either. This game will also have major implications on the 2025 NFL Draft order.

Both teams are current contenders to end up with the No. 1 overall pick. While they aren’t going to “tank,” losing is not necessarily the worst thing in the world for either franchise.

All of that being said, it will be interesting to see how Ridley plays following this statement. He’s right that he should be a big factor week in and week out. Now, fans will be watching closely to see if he’s capable of actually doing it.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Today is the last day of early voting. Those who don’t cast a ballot today must wait until Election Day, Nov. 5.

Early and absentee voting numbers are robust this year.

In the first 12 days of voting in 2020, 140,685 early and absentee votes were cast in Knox County. In 12 days in 2024, there were 142,356.

The divide looks like this: 135,971 early voters and 6,385 absentee ballots as of Oct. 29.

Knox County early voting totals by party

We don’t know and we never will.

In Tennessee, voters don’t have to declare a party when they register, which means officials can’t track votes by party.

Some states, including Florida, require voters to choose a political party when they register. They can only vote in that party’s primary elections, and that party affiliation follows them to the general election. That’s how we know for sure there are more Republicans voting early in some other states.

Where can I learn about the candidates?

Before you cast your ballot, whether early or on Election Day, the Knox News Voter’s Guide at knoxnews.com lets you check out who the local candidates are and what they say about the issues.

Can I still register to vote in the 2024 election?

No, the voter registration deadline has passed.

How to check if you’re registered to vote in Tennessee

Check tnmap.tn.gov/voterlookup to determine whether you are already registered.

How do I register for an absentee ballot in Tennessee?

That deadlines has passed as well.

Where is early voting in Knox County?

The early voting ends today. During that time, registered voters can go to any early voting location on any day or time it is open.

Here are Knox County early voting locations:

• Carter Senior Center, 9040 Asheville Highway
• City-County Building, 400 Main St.
• Downtown West, 1645 Downtown West Blvd., Unit 40
• Eternal Life Harvest Center at Five Points, 2410 Martin Luther King Ave. (next to Love Kitchen)
• Gibbs Ruritan Club, 7827 Tazewell Pike
• Halls Recreation Center, 6933 Recreation Lane
• Karns Senior Center, 8042 Oak Ridge Highway
• Knoxville Expo Center, 5441 Clinton Highway
• New Harvest Park, 4775 New Harvest Lane
• Meridian Baptist Church, 6513 Chapman Highway
• University of Tennessee (Baker School), 1640 Cumberland Ave.
• Village Green Shopping Center (Old Stein Mart), 11437 Kingston Pike in Farragut

What are early voting hours?

Hours vary depending on the day and place you vote.

Early voting hours for Carter Senior Center, City-County Building, Downtown West, Eternal Life Harvest Center at Five Points, Gibbs Ruritan Club, Halls Recreation Center, Knoxville Expo Center, New Harvest Park and Village Green Shopping Center:

Early voting hours for Meridian Baptist:

Early voting hours for Karns Senior Center:

Early voting hours for the University of Tennessee at Knoxville:

When is Election Day?

Election Day is Nov. 5.

Polls will be open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. If you arrive at your polling site before 8 p.m. and have to wait in line past that time, you may still vote if you stay in line.

Where do I vote on Election Day?

On Nov. 5, you must vote at your registered polling place. Check your address at the Voting location search button at kgis.org.

Some polling locations may have changed since the 2022 election due to redistricting, so voters are advised to double check if they decide to wait to vote on Election Day.

Do I have to show an ID to vote?

Yes, you do.

These forms of identification are acceptable, even if they are expired:

• Tennessee driver’s license with your photo
• Passport
• Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee government
• Military photo ID
• Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo

Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg

Data Skrive

Two of the nation’s toughest passing defenses meet when the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers (6-1) bring college football’s 22nd-ranked pass defense into a matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats (3-5), who have the No. 20 passing defense, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The Volunteers are massive, 16.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 45.5.

Last time out, the Volunteers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, with 24-17 being the final score. Facing the Auburn Tigers in their last game, the Wildcats lost 24-10.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Tennessee vs. Kentucky Game Information & Odds

• When: Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 7:45 p.m. ET
• Location: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee
• TV: SEC Network
• Live Box Score on FOX Sports

More College Football Predictions

• Ole Miss vs. Arkansas Predictions
• Auburn vs. Vanderbilt Predictions

Tennessee vs. Kentucky Prediction

• Pick ATS:

  Tennessee (-16.5)
  
  

• Pick OU: Under (45.5)
  
• Prediction: Tennessee 31, Kentucky 13

Predictions are made by the Data Skrive betting model.

Learn more about the Tennessee Volunteers vs. the Kentucky Wildcats game on FOX Sports!

Tennessee vs. Kentucky Betting Insights

• Per the spread and over/under, the implied score for the tilt is Volunteers 31, Wildcats 14.
• The Volunteers have an 89.4% chance to claim victory in this meeting per the moneyline’s implied probability. The Wildcats hold a 15.2% implied probability.
• Tennessee has put together a 4-2-0 ATS record so far this year.
• Kentucky has put together a 4-4-0 record against the spread this year.

Tennessee vs. Kentucky: Head-to-Head

• In their last three head-to-head meetings, Tennessee has won against Kentucky three times.
• The Volunteers carry a 3-0 record ATS in those games, while the two teams have gone over the total on two occasions.
• Kentucky has been outpaced by 47 points in its last three tilts versus Tennessee.

Tennessee vs. Kentucky: 2024 Stats Comparison

Tennessee 2024 Key Players

Kentucky 2024 Key Players

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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