UK at Mississippi State

Both Kentucky and Mississippi State are both in a fight to get bowl eligible. 

Kentucky stands at 5-3 while Miss St is 3-5.    Kentucky has the  Bulldogs, the Georgia Bulldogs, the Tennessee Vols and the Vanderbilt Commodores left on the schedule.  Kentucky believes they can win any or all of their remaining games.   Georgia is obviously the longest of longshots remaining on the schedule.  Tennessee has beaten Kentucky 20 plus straight times, but they appear pretty far down this year so there’s a chance.

The best options for getting bowl eligible for the Wildcats are the Vandy and Miss St games.  Neither one is a given, but Kentucky has had recent success against both programs.

Kentucky needs to continue that success.  But to do that, they need their roster as healthy as possible.

Kentucky comes in with it’s talented defense very banged up, but all 11 starters are able to play Saturday.  For the first time since the Middle Tennessee State game, the Wildcats will have all 11 opening day starters available.  Miss St has struggled on offense, like the Wildcats all season.  You can expect Kentucky to hold Miss State’s offense under 300 yards and under 17 points. 

On offense, Kentucky’s expecting a jolt of energy from newly named starting quarterback Randall Cobb.  Still, this is Cobb’s first road start as a quarterback in the SEC.  He says he’s not nervous and he wasn’t rattled by the Swamp, so he should be fine in Starkville.  The question is can he get some movement out of his offense? 

All five original starters are now available for the offense since Garry Williams went down in the Norfolk State game.  Bowling ball back Moncel Allen appears poised to carry the running load for the Wildcats, with Alfonso Smith and Tony Dixon backing him up.  At receiver, Kyrus Lanxter may make his return.  The starters are expected to be junior EJ Adams and freshman Gene McCaskill.  Both have played well recently and are expected to play big roles Saturday afternoon. 

If the Wildcats can move the ball and keep the field position in their favor, Kentucky should win the game.  But if the Wildcats turn over the ball more than the Bulldogs, then it will be difficult to win in Starkville.

My prediction?

Kentucky 23 Miss St 14