After a bumpy start to the season, Tennessee has righted the ship to the tune of four straight wins.

Vanderbilt will sail into Knoxville on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, SECN) hoping to torpedo the Volunteers’ recent good run of form.

Tennessee (7-4, 4-3 SEC) is coming off a 19-8 win at Missouri, a tense and emotional affair that served as Missouri coach Gary Pinkel’s final home game.

The Volunteers defense did the heavy lifting, allowing the Tigers a paltry 223 yards of total offense while forcing a pair of turnovers.

While the Tennessee vessel has been full steam ahead in recent weeks, the Commodores (4-7, 2-5) have been taking on a bit of water.

Last week, Vanderbilt stumbled to a 25-0 home loss to Texas A&M, a game that played out to a familiar script this season — a valiant defensive effort undone by a dreadful offense.

Commodores QBs Johnny McCrary and Kyle Shurmur combined for just 23 passing yards last week, a figure that makes it tough. It’s likely both will play Saturday as coach Derek Mason continues to search for a spark.

Tennessee has dominated the series between these in-state rivals, with a 74-29-5 record in 108 meetings. That includes last year’s 24-17 win in Nashville, which clinched bowl eligibility.

Vanderbilt has lost 30 of the last 33 games in this series. But with a rugged defense, the usual rivalry week incentive and the added carrot of an outside shot at playing in a bowl game (a few 5-7 teams might squeeze in), the Commodores shouldn’t go down without a fight.

VANDERBILT COMMODORES CLOSER LOOK

Top player, offense: Ralph Webb, Soph., RB — One of the lone bright spots for the Vanderbilt offense this season, Webb ranks fifth in the league in rushing with 1,003 yards. How important is he? Well, the Commodores have 16 offensive touchdowns this season, and he has almost half (7) of them.

Webb, who had 55 yards and a TD in last year’s contest, will be the focal point of Vanderbilt’s offense.

Top player, defense: Zach Cunningham, Soph., LB — Another sophomore in another key position for the Commodores, Cunningham ranks seventh in the SEC with 93 tackles. He’s also third in the league with 16.5 tackles for loss and has 4.5 sacks and four forced fumbles this season.

He’s had at least 10 tackles in three straight games, including a 14-tackle effort in last week’s loss to Texas A&M.

Top player, special teams: Hayden Lekacz, Soph., K — Lekacz took over  from Tommy Openshaw a few weeks back and has made all four extra-point attempts. He missed his lone collegiate field-goal try came in last season’s opener against Temple.