Charlotte @ Kentucky preview

Having lost five straight and needing to win out to become bowl eligible, Kentucky is turning to a new quarterback for its non-conference matchup with visiting Charlotte on Saturday. Coach Mark Stoops is going with redshirt freshman Drew Barker as his starter under center against the 49ers, hoping to give the offense a spark.

The Wildcats have been struggling to put points on the board, averaging 14.2 over their last four games. Needing wins Saturday and next week to reach .500 on the season, Stoops decided to make the change to Barker, who is 13-of-19 for 107 yards, one touchdown and one interception this season. The youth movement is afoot in Lexington, with sophomore Dorian Baker leading the team in receptions (53) and sophomore Boom Williams (678 yards) powering the running game. Charlotte started the season 2-0 but hasn't won since and is coming off an overtime loss last weekend.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Kentucky -24.5

ABOUT CHARLOTTE (2-8): It's not always easy to get a 2-8 team fired up, but the opportunity to play a team from the SEC can have that effect. Charlotte coach Brad Lambert said he sees a new spark in his team's eyes as it prepares to face Kentucky, especially after some close losses of late. "The guys on our team have that look in their eyes," Lambert told reporters. "They're eager. They're working hard. They've been working hard all season. To win Saturday would be really great for them."

ABOUT KENTUCKY (4-6): Stoops has been getting Barker ready for the starting role, even if he wasn't sure when or if it would happen. The head coach pushed Barker to prepare as if he was going to be the starter, so he would be prepared when it happened. "I told him a long time ago that he needs to worry about himself and prepare to be the best quarterback he can get," Stoops told reporters, "and sooner or later - I pointed at the stadium as we were meeting in my office - 'You're going to get this opportunity in here, and what you do with it is up to you.'"

EXTRA POINTS

1. Charlotte RB Kalif Phillips, who is 39 yards short of 1,000 yards rushing, is expected to play against Kentucky after suffering a knee injury in last week's loss to Texas-San Antonio.

2. Kentucky DE Farrington Huguenin racked up a career-high 10 tackles against Vanderbilt.

3. Wildcats sophomore K Austin MacGinnis is just three points away from moving into the school's all-time scoring list with his 161 points.

PREDICTION: Kentucky 38, Charlotte 17