Kentucky vs. Mississippi State: KSR Staff Predictions
Riding a three-game losing streak, Kentucky Football travels to unwelcoming territory in Week 10 with a road contest at Mississippi State. The cross-divisional rivalry is at an even split, 25 wins to 25 wins, going into their 51st meeting.
Recently, the home team has dominated with seven straight wins in the series. Before that, it was just Mississippi State dominating as the Wildcats have lost seven straight in Starkville.
Will this year’s Wildcats snap the Starkville losing streak? Or will Kentucky find itself in a four-game losing skid with three challenging games ahead.
Here’s how the KSR staff sees it playing out:
Drew Franklin
A much younger version of me was at Davis Wade Stadium in 2008, the last time the Kentucky Wildcats won on the road in Starkville. It was a thrilling 14-13 finish because Kentucky blocked an extra point. My friends and I from Lexington sat by Radar (a popular man on UK’s campus around that time) in the stands, where, somehow, a glass bottle of Woodford Reserve was passed around the visitors section. Radar and I would yell “Woodford, baby! Go Cats!” anytime we saw each other for the next several years because of that win and that memory.
I bring that up today because I want to yell “Woodford, baby! Go Cats!” in celebration of Kentucky winning in Starkville again. Looking back on the fun BBN had on the road that night in ’08, it’s hard to believe another 15+ years would pass without planting the UK flag in Mississippi again.
This weekend, it’s time. It’s past time, actually. The Bulldogs are not a good football team. Mississippi State has QB questions, injury concerns, and a 4-4 overall record, while the Wildcats may have some newfound confidence in its passing attack. On top of that, I’m going to have a bottle of Woodford beside me for good mojo.
Score: Kentucky 27, Mississippi State 17
Adam Luckett
We’ve seen Kentucky have a big day running the football against Florida and Missouri. We’ve seen Kentucky have a big day passing the football against Tennessee. Mississippi State should be an opponent where it all comes together for Liam Coen‘s offense.
The Wildcats will score north of 30 offensive points for the third time this season in an SEC game at Davis-Wade Stadium. Look for Devin Leary to take advantage of a bad passing defense and for Ray Davis to have a bounce-back performance on the ground.
Mississippi State’s offense will have an element of surprise early due to some game-week information hiding, but once Kentucky settles in, they should be able to find some stops against an offense that is struggling to find an identity during a massive scheme change.
Kentucky ends a three-game losing streak and finally snaps a long losing streak in Starkville. The Wildcats are laying points for a reason. They are clearly the better team in this matchup and that should play out over 60 minutes of football. Offense will lead the way.
Score: Kentucky 33, Mississippi State 20
Zack Geoghegan
Kentucky has the upper hand here, even if the game is on the road and history says otherwise. Mississippi State does not have a clear-cut starting quarterback right now. They are capable of racking up some yards on the ground but lack the explosiveness on offense that has plagued the Kentucky defense in the last three games. MSU has scored just 20 combined points over its last two outings against SEC opponents Arkansas and Auburn. Brad White’s defense should have a field day slowing down the Bulldogs’ inconsistent offense.
On the other side of the ball, Kentucky is primed for another big outing from Devin Leary and company. Ray Davis should be in for a solid outing too. Mississippi State ranks 102nd in the country in passing yards allowed and 60th in the country in rushing yards allowed. Once the second half rolls around, Kentucky will lead comfortably before cruising down the stretch.
Score: Kentucky 31, Mississippi State 20
Nick Roush
I’m so confident in Kentucky that it’s starting to frighten me. Yes, the Cats have lost three straight games. Yes, this is Starkville, a place where nothing good has ever happened. Do I care? Not in the slightest.
Mississippi State struggles to do anything well. Typically in matchups with inferior opponents there’s one thing that could make the Cats vulnerable. Have I lost that much confidence in the Kentucky defense that I’m worried about Mike Wright? Absolutely not.
Kentucky will keep the former Vanderbilt quarterback contained for most of the night. Tulu Griffin will probably get a couple big plays, but the Bulldogs will be overwhelmed by the Kentucky offense. A fast start is just what this offense needs to build confidence. After a successful opening script, it’s off to the races for a much-needed, feel good win.
Score: Kentucky 34, Mississippi State 14
Jack Pilgrim
Davis Wade Stadium has been the House of Horrors for Kentucky football, zero wins in Starkville since 2008. The cowbells are nauseating and the city stinks out loud. And the Wildcats enter the matchup riding a three-game losing streak. Not good on any count.
But Kentucky has no choice but to get back in the win column, and fortunately, Mark Stoops has a great opportunity to do that against a medicore Mississippi State team. The Wildcats are starting to find their groove offensively and the Bulldogs have some serious questions, namely at quarterback and in the secondary. Points will be available and stops will be necessary. The environment presents some early issues for UK, but the road team settles in and pulls off the comeback victory.
Devin Leary throws for 250 yards and three scores, one to Dane Key, one to Tayvion Robinson and one to Josh Kattus. Then Ray Davis closes things out with a touchdown of his own to milk the clock and seal the win.
Kentucky’s three-game losing streak ends in Starkville.
Score: Kentucky 28, Mississippi State 20
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