Missouri @ Tennessee preview

Two teams at the bottom of the SEC East play Saturday when Missouri visits Tennessee in the first-ever meeting between the schools. The Tigers, who have dropped three of four, threw a scare into No. 7 Florida last week before losing 14-7. The Vols broke a four-game losing streak, but it wasn't easy. Tennessee needed a late touchdown for a 55-48 non-conference win over Troy in a game that featured 1,439 combined yards of total offense.

TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Tennessee -3 1/2

ABOUT MISSOURI (4-5, 1-5 SEC): The Tigers' first season in their new conference hasn't gone as planned. Their only win came against Kentucky, the league's worst team, and three of their losses have been by 21, 21 and 32 points. Missouri nearly pulled off a major upset against Florida, but James Franklin threw four interceptions, including one that was picked off in the end zone with five seconds remaining. Franklin's poor game ruined a solid performance by the defense; both Florida TDs came on short fields.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (4-5, 0-5 SEC): Needing a last-minute touchdown to beat a Sun Belt Conference team at home is hardly cause for celebration, but that's all the Vols have at the moment. Marlin Lane's 9-yard run with 1:25 remaining offset another terrible performance by the defense, which allowed 721 yards, most in program history. The defense ranks 110th in the country, allowing 35.4 points a game. Tennessee has given up 42.2 points in conference games. The Vols average 36.8 points, but the poor defensive play has made that a moot point.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Tigers are 38th in the country defensively, allowing 22.6 points a game, but score 22.4 points, which is 96th nationally.

2. Tennessee and Missouri are tied for the most overtime wins in NCAA history with 10 apiece.

3. The Vols set a school record with 718 yards of total offense last week. The 103 combined points are the most in a game in Neyland Stadium history.

PREDICTION: Missouri 28, Tennessee 24