The Kentucky Wildcats travels to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs as 10 point underdogs. This is a game Kentucky has a chance to win if they can play good clean football.
Max Smith gets another chance to lead this young Kentucky team, but he is going to have to perform a lot better than he did against Alabama after coming on in relief of Jalen Whitlow. Jalen will be available and I do expect him to play especially if Max can’t get rolling early. Look for Kentucky to throw the football more tonight than they have in the past. Mississippi State ranks 7th in the SEC in pass defense giving up 220 yards per game.
Now to the predictions. ESPN writers Chris Low and Edward Aschoff both have Kentucky picked to lose to the Bulldogs.
KENTUCKY at MISSISSIPPI STATE
Chris Low: Both of these teams are looking for their first SEC win of the season. Kentucky has lost 13 in a row on the road in the SEC. It’s a game Mississippi State has to have if the Bulldogs are going to have any chance of making a fourth straight bowl appearance. The home crowd will be the difference. … Mississippi State 27, Kentucky 21
Edward Aschoff: Both of these teams need this victory. The Bulldogs are looking to stay on the bowl path, while the Wildcats need some sort of momentum to this season. Kentucky won’t be a pushover, but the Bulldogs should take care of business at home. … Mississippi State 34, Kentucky 21
As always SaturdayDownSouth.com made their predictions and both have Kentucky losing.
SEC Week 9 Predictions http://t.co/4nBqEilhVS
— Saturday Down South (@SDS) October 24, 2013
Kentucky at Mississippi State (-10.5)
Jon: This game is so crucial for both programs and coaches. For Kentucky, it’s a building block. For MSU, it’s a must-win for Dan Mullen to get a step towards bowl eligibility. MSU usually beats up on inferior opponents, but how inferior is UK? I like State to win but UK covers. Mississippi State 30, Kentucky 20
Kevin: I believe Mississippi State will put it together and pull out a decent performance. Mississippi State covers at home 31-18.
Here is my prediction via twitter.
Prediction Kentucky vs. Miss. State Kentucky 27 Miss. State 24
— Chad Pugh (@ChadPugh_NOB) October 24, 2013
I know I’m going out on a limb with this prediction, but I just have a good feeling about this game. Kentucky usually plays pretty good in Starkville and tonight will be no different. Mark Stoops will get his first SEC win as a head coach.
