Tennessee is one of the hottest teams in the SEC with three straight victories, and the Volunteers will try to run that number to four on Saturday when they visit Missouri (7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Since a narrow 19-14 loss at Alabama, Tennessee has defeated Kentucky, South Carolina and North Texas to improve to 6-4 overall (3-3 in SEC play).

Missouri (5-5, 1-5) threw the brakes on a four-game losing skid last time out, claiming a 20-16 win over BYU in Kansas City. To describe Missouri’s season as dramatic would be an understatement.

From quarterback Maty Mauk’s on-again, off-again status, to a player protest amid racial strife at the university to coach Gary Pinkel’s announcement of his battle with cancer and his retirement, the team’s up-and-down play on the field has almost become an afterthought.

Legendary coach Bill Parcells has a saying that applies here: “You are what your record says you are.”

That means that, at 5-5, Missouri can either play well enough to win, or implode on its way to defeat. Carry the metaphor a bit farther, and Tennessee at 6-4 would be slightly more likely to play well.

It’s a tough spot for the Volunteers, despite being an 8.5-point favorite in the game. It will be Pinkel’s final home game, and between the emotion of that, Senior Day and the need to secure a win for bowl-eligibility, Missouri will be inspired to play well.

In three all-time meetings — all since 2012 — Missouri has never lost against Tennessee. Last year in Knoxville, the Tigers pulled away in the second half for a 29-21 win.

While gearing up for the game, Tennessee coach Butch Jones took a moment to praise his counterpart.

“You look at everywhere he’s been, he’s won,” Jones said of Pinkel. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. It’s an honor and a privilege to be coaching in this game with him.”

Volunteers fans will be hoping for an honorable and respectful win in Columbia on Saturday night.

MISSOURI TIGERS CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Russell Hansbrough, Sr. RB — It took 10 games, but the Arlington, Texas, native finally cracked the 100-yard barrier last week with 117. It’s been an injury-plagued, frustrating season for Hansbrough. However, when he’s healthy, he’s one of the more talented backs in the SEC. He was pretty quiet in last year’s game in Knoxville, rushing for 68 yards on 15 carries.

Top player, defense: Kentrell Brothers, Sr. LB — I don’t usually get worked up about position awards, but how a guy that leads the nation in tackles (128) can get left off the Butkus Award semifinalist list is beyond me. He also has 2.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions. He had 7 tackles in last year’s contest, and he’s easily the best player on this side of the ball for the Tigers.

Top player, special teams: Andrew Baggett, Sr. K — Baggett has been solid for the Tigers, hitting 15 of 19 field goal tries and all 15 of his extra points. He’s also made four in a row since a third-quarter miss against Vanderbilt back on Oct. 24.