KSR Today: Kentucky seeks first win at Mississippi State since 2008

Mark Stoops has never won a football game at Mississippi State. Kentucky’s head coach slightly changed things up before the No. 12 Wildcats enter cowbell hell at Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 pm ET on the SEC Network.

“It’s just a tough place to play, right? They got the cowbells going and it’s usually a little hotter than it is everywhere else,” Fortner said Tuesday evening. “It’s a hostile environment, so I just reminded the team that it’s a business trip and we’re going to go down there and win the game.”

In addition to the ringing cowbells, Starkville is a place that can lull opponents asleep. Teams typically stay in hotels out of town, then drive an hour or so on a bus into town for the game. Wanting his players on his toes, Stoops switched the travel plans and stayed in town Friday night.

“I want to make sure our mentality is right and that’s what I’ve talked about for the last couple of days,” Stoops said Thursday. “We’ve gotta come down there with a sense of purpose. When we get on that plane and we land in Starkville, we’ve gotta have an attitude about us because it’s not easy and we’re playing a very good team. We have to match that intensity on the road.”

The Wildcats have lost five straight in Starkville, the last three by more than 26 points per game. For Kentucky to reverse the Starkville curse, the Cats must open the game with a bang. Last year the Wildcats won with defense. That will not be the case Saturday night. If Liam Coen’s offense continues to grow and produces more explosive plays, the Wildcats could give the Bulldogs nightmares on Halloween eve.

Get Hyped

The Schedule

4:00 — The KSR Pregame Show kicks off on 630 WLAP
4:45 — The Cat Walk near the South Loge Gate and Gate L
7:00 — Kickoff on SEC Network

Vegas, TV, Radio

The Las Vegas line has bounced around all over the place. Mississippi State opened as a 2-point favorite over Kentucky, the line moved four points in the other direction, now the Wildcats are back to being one-point underdogs. You’ll find the total right around 47. The Covering Cats are 6-1 ATS, while the Bulldogs are 3-4 against the number.

Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic are on the call for the SEC Network Saturday night special. Unlike most of these games, this one kicks off 30 minutes earlier at 7 pm ET. If you’d rather listen to the Voice of the Wildcats, there are multiple ways to hear today’s game.

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Josh Ali Returns

Wan’Dale Robinson and Will Levis are receiving some help. Josh Ali is set to return after missing 2.5 games with a knee injury. The Wildcats’ second-leading wide receiver (17 receptions, 248 yards, one touchdown) will be back in time to face a Mississippi State pass defense that allows 234.1 yards per game (10th in the SEC).

State is Pulling out all the Stops

Enthusiasm is not exactly at an all-time high around Starkville. Despite hosting a top 15 team under the lights, you can find tickets on the secondary market for as low as $15. To bring in more fans, Mississippi State is bringing its 2021 College World Series Champs to the game and offering Mike Leach’s favorite candy ahead of kickoff for free.

All of @Coach_Leach's favorites available at Coke Fan Fest on Saturday‼️

Oh, and candy corn for the Wildcat folks.#HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/Yr7LSXvvKG
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) October 28, 2021

Today’s Uniforms

Kentucky is wearing its best looking uniforms in Starkville. Blue lids, white jerseys and blue pants are the sharpest look in the Wildcats’ wardrobe. It is known.

Podcast Lineup

We got you covered with plenty of audio entertainment to help you get to kickoff as stress-free as possible.

Spooky Season

Kentucky’s graphics department stepped up their game a notch or two this weekend. They’re showing prospective recruits how to get in the holiday spirit. Here’s the Halloween themed photoshop they sent 2023 Aliquippa wide receiver Donovan Walker.