The Kentucky Wildcats (5-5, 2-5 SEC) travel to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee (4-5, 1-4) Saturday. The Wildcats look to end their four-game losing skid and earn bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. The Vols face a similar goal, needing two wins to claim eligibility and end their own bowl drought that began the same year.

Kentucky faces a Tennessee offense that’s improved since quarterback Joshua Dobbs’ first appearance. The sophomore adds a dual-threat option that fits well in offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian’s scheme, which features many read option plays.

Dobbs made his season debut in Week 9 against Alabama during the Vols’ third possession. Against one of the nation’s best defenses, Dobbs threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-32 passing and rushed for 75 yards on 19 attempts.

The sophomore made his first start the following week against South Carolina. He became the only quarterback in school history to record 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game. Facing a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter, Dobbs led the Vols to 17 unanswered points and their first SEC win.

Tailback Jalen Hurd also excelled with Dobbs’ addition to the lineup. The freshman ran for a season-best 125 yards on 21 carries, averaging six yards per carry. Hurd also caught seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee’s win over South Carolina.

Kentucky ranks No. 97 overall in rush defense, with an average of 200.2 yards allowed per game. The Wildcats allowed 305 rushing yards in last week’s loss to No. 15 Georgia. Kentucky has allowed over 200 yards rushing in five games and over 300 in three.

The Wildcats need a strong performance from defensive end/linebacker Alvin “Bud” Dupree. The senior leads Kentucky with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Dupree’s speed off the edge and the explosiveness should provide pressure facing a weak Tennessee offensive line.

The Wildcats’ leading tacklers, Josh Forrest (82) and Za’Darius Smith (53), will also need to provide a solid showing in order to stop spell Dobbs and stop Hurd at the line of scrimmage.

Kentucky faces a tough matchup against Tennessee’s talented backfield duo. The Wildcats must improve their rush defense in order to stop the Vols improved offense.