Tennessee fought bravely last week but fell just short in a 19-14 loss at Alabama.

Opinions vary as to whether or not such a result can be considered a moral victory, but no matter how it might have made them feel, a number went up on the wrong side of the ledger for the Volunteers (3-4, 1-3 SEC).

Coach Butch Jones’ team will hit the road again this week for a game against Kentucky (7:30 p.m. ET, SECN).

Some would argue that history suggests that a Tennessee win is pretty likely, since the Volunteers have won 29 of the last 30 meetings against the Wildcats (4-3, 2-3).

But a closer look at the series results will tell you that lone Kentucky win was in Lexington — just four years ago.

Las Vegas has the Volunteers as a 7.5-point favorite in this one, based on the series history and how the teams are trending. Kentucky is on a two-game skid in conference play, falling last week to Mississippi State, 42-16.

Based on the stats, maybe taking the over of 55 points is the way to go, since both schools rank near the bottom of the league in total and scoring defense.

Be that as it may, the Volunteers are about to begin what, on paper, is the softest part of their schedule. After this trip, three of the last four games (South Carolina, North Texas and Vanderbilt) are at Neyland Stadium, and the lone remaining road game is at struggling Missouri.

It’s a chance to finish the season on a roll, earn a decent bowl bid and build some momentum for 2016.

Meanwhile, Kentucky will look to spoil those plans and pick up its first win against an FBS school since late September.

Here’s a look at some key players for the Wildcats who might make a difference in this week’s game:

KENTUCKY WILDCATS CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Patrick Towles, Jr., QB — Running back Stanley “Boom” Williams is a key cog on offense, but this team rises and falls with the play of Towles. In Kentucky’s wins, he’s thrown for 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. In losses, he doesn’t have any touchdown passes to go with 5 interceptions. In last year’s 50-16 loss in Knoxville, Towles was 13 of 25 for 168 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

The Fort Thomas, Ky., native needs to play much better if the Wildcats are going to win this week. Coach Mark Stoops allowed redshirt freshman Drew Barker to get a few reps last time out, and if Towles doesn’t pick it up a bit, Barker might be in line for even more playing time.

Top player, defense: Josh Forrest, Sr., LB — Forrest continues to be the Wildcats’ runaway leader in tackles (64), tackles for loss (4.0) and sacks (3.5). He’s also tied for the team lead with 5 passes broken up and has an interception.

“Josh Forrest is always a guy that runs around, and we’re asking an awful lot of him. We’re putting him in situations where he’s doing a lot of things and really still giving us everything he’s got and still doing a very good job,” Stoops said.

Top player, special teams: Austin MacGinnis, So., K — MacGinnis is in the midst of a fine sophomore campaign. He ranks near the top of the SEC in field goal percentage (84.6) and field goals made (11).

He also accounted for 10 of Kentucky’s 16 points against Tennessee last season, hitting all three of his field goals and an extra point.