If there is a silver lining for Tennessee this week, it’s experience in dealing with heartbreaking losses in games that looked all but won.

The latest such defeat came last week against Florida in a game that Tennessee led by 13 points in the fourth quarter.

“Football is a strange game, and it has a way of equaling itself out,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “We’ll win our share of games in the fourth quarter as well, but we just need to stay positive and keep working through it, and we will.”

It’s a glass-half-full view, and one Jones is wise to take.

Why?

Because the SEC schedule doesn’t care about a team’s feelings.

If there’s a team that can match tales of frustration and woe with the Volunteers, it’s Arkansas.

After a season-opening win, the Razorbacks have dropped three straight games. A shocking loss to Toledo was followed by an undressing at the hands of Texas Tech. And last week, Arkansas played well, led most of the way and still fell in overtime to Texas A&M, 28-21.

As disappointing as the young season has been for both schools, there is still time for each to turn things around. Both the Volunteers and Razorbacks have only one SEC loss in their respective divisions, and there’s an awful lot of football left to be played.

A win would be huge for either school. The winner will be back at .500 in SEC play and can push on and hope to get a little help to stay in title contention down the line.

But when the final horn sounds Saturday night in Knoxville (7 p.m., ESPN2), time will have likely run out on the loser’s 2015 title dreams.

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Brandon Allen, Sr, QB — Allen, making his 26th consecutive start, is second in the SEC in passing yards (1,141) and fourth in passer rating (166.6) so far this season. He was 20 of 25 with 225 yards, a touchdown and an interception last week against Texas A&M. Arkansas will look to soften up the Vols with running back Alex Collins, and then use its play-action passing game with Allen.

Top player, defense: Brooks Ellis, Jr., LB — Arkansas limited the Aggies to only 48 plays last week, so Ellis had only two tackles in that game. He leads the Razorbacks with 28 on the season.

Top player, special teams: Cole Hedlund, R-Fr., K — Maybe “most important” would be better than top in this case, but Hedlund could be a factor in this one. He’s 4 of 6 on field goals this season, with misses from 41 and 37 yards, and has hit all 13 of his extra points.