With four games remaining in the regular season, there’s two teams in the SEC within striking distance of bowl eligibility, dormant programs mired in mediocrity in recent years.

Their paths to get there vary greatly.

In his second season at Kentucky, coach Mark Stoops needs one win in November to clinch a postseason berth while Bret Bielema, despite a noticeably-improved at Arkansas, has to deliver three victories — including at least one over a ranked team — during a challenging final stretch.

Kentucky: Wins needed for bowl eligibility = 1

Remaining schedule

  • at Mizzou
  • vs. No. 9 Georgia
  • vs. Tennessee
  • at Louisville

Takeaways: Kentucky’s in great shape to go bowling with only one game remaining against nationally-ranked competition … Quarterback Patrick Towles has blossomed into one of the Eastern Division’s top playmakers and is playing with more confidence each and every game … If things go sour over the final three SEC games, the Wildcats bowl hopes would rest on beating Bobby Petrino and Louisville in their rivalry finale … Stoops hopes his team’s reached six wins by that junction.

Bowl chances: Very good; There’s a chance the Wildcats (5-3) could be favored in two of their final four games with the road trip to Missouri likely deciding second place in the division. Kentucky needs additional help, but a win over Georgia could catapult the Wildcats to the possible eight-win plateau and into a bowl game in Florida. At worst, Kentucky beats Tennessee in Lexington and heads to the Nashville as a reward.

Projection: 6-6, Music City Bowl vs. Georgia Tech

Arkansas: Wins needed for bowl eligibility = 2

Remaining schedule

  • at No. 1 Mississippi State
  • vs. No. 16 LSU
  • vs. No. 7 Ole Miss
  • at Mizzou

Takeaways: The lone common opponent both of these bowl hopefuls have is Mizzou, a game we’re projecting both to win … For Arkansas, that matchup unfortunately appears to be the only remaining game left on the schedule that’s favorable … No team in the country has a tougher final four games than the Razorbacks, a back-loaded slate featuring three games against West rivals ranked in the Top 16.

Bowl chances: Slim; If Arkansas could stick to its run-heavy game plan and rattle college football with a landmark upset of top-ranked Mississippi State this weekend, winning one of its final three games would seem much easier. Quarterback Brandon Allen has to make plays down the stretch when games are close in the second half, the best opportunities coming at home against LSU and at Mizzou. Beating both Magnolia State programs including Ole Miss who boasts the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense seems impossible.

Projection: 5-7, season-ending win over Mizzou snaps 19-game SEC losing skid