LEX18.com - Lexington, KY

Posted: Nov 23, 2009 11:07 PM

There is never a lack of emotion when it comes to the Kentucky-Tennessee football game.

It's always senior day.  Last year, the Vols were sending off Phil Fulmer.  This year, the Cats could be sending off Rich Brooks.  Whatever happens with the coach, there's so much more at stake this year.  This time around, this game really means something and it's not just ending the streak.

It could be the difference between the Chik-Fil-A Bowl and the Capital One Bowl.  It could mean a second place finish in the SEC East.

So where would a victory against the Vols rank compared to that big one over Georgia on Saturday?

"Much, much, much better," said UK defensive tackle Corey Peters.

"I think the victory at Georgia makes it even better.  Not only for bowl implications but also because of the streak, it being senior night, all these different factors going in to it I think it's extremely important to get a victory."

The senior tackle was instrumental in that win between the hedges, and for everything the Cats have done this season.  Rich Brooks calls Peters' performance in the second half against the Bulldogs 'All-American."  He was dominant against Georgia's offensive line.  While he hopes to put together the same kind of game against Tennessee, he will be feeling something he hasn't really experienced in his career.

"I think I'll be a little bit more sad than happy.  This has been the greatest experience of my life, playing football here."

Peters has just two games left.  He will graduate in December and try to catch on in the NFL.  If that doesn't work out, he's studying to be a teacher.

He's a part of the only class at Kentucky to go to four straight bowl games, and he takes a lot of pride in that.

"That's one of the things that's helping to change the perception of Kentucky football.  We're moving in the right direction.  Not only that, but being able to sustain that success.  You've seen teams in the past that have a couple of winning seasons then have that down year.  We had our down year last year, that's how I feel.  7-6 is a down year and that's still relatively good.  We've got to continue to move forward knowing that 8-5, 7-6 is not good enough but it is a step in the right direction."

A win over Tennessee would be just that.