Last Thursday the Kentucky Wildcats had a chance to make a statement and put themselves firmly in play for first place in the SEC East and a possible berth in the title game in Atlanta.
It wasn’t to be as the team left 14 points in the end zone on an interception and a dropped pass. Then some questionable play calling on the final drive sealed a 30-27 loss to Auburn.
Looking at Kentucky at Mississippi State
This week they head to Starkville, Mississippi, one of the toughest places to play in the SEC for a battle against Mississippi State at 7:30 on the SEC Network.
The Bulldogs are of course led by Dak Prescott, who last week joined Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel as the only players in SEC history to throw for 50 touchdowns and run for 30. Stopping him will be the key to the game for the Wildcats. That job got a little bit tougher with the loss of nose guard Melvin Lewis, who broke his leg in the Auburn game and is out for the remainder of the regular season. In his absence Matt Elam will have to step up.
On the Wildcat side of the ball Patrick Towles had his best game of his career last season in a 45-31 loss to the Bulldogs with a combined 456 yards and 4 touchdowns. He will have to produce some big numbers for the Kentucky to have a chance on Saturday.
Boom Williams returned to the Cats lineup for the Auburn game and ran for 112 yards and two scores. If the Cats can run the ball against MSU’s formidable defensive line, that will keep Prescott off the field.
The Bulldogs got some really bad news on Thursday when it was announced Will Redmond, the teams star cornerback, tore his ACL and is out for the season. It will be interesting to see if Towles and company can take advantage of this misfortune.
Another intangible could be the kicking game. Kentucky repeatedly gave Auburn good field position on both kickoffs and returns last week, and MSU has one of the best return men in the SEC in Brandon Holloway. That can’t happen on Saturday for UK to have a chance.
Playing in Starkville is one of the most challenging places to play on the road in the SEC. Dan Mullen is 10-0 lifetime against Kentucky, 4-0 as a Florida assistant and 6-0 as head coach of the Bulldogs. For the first time since 1975 Kentucky’s first six games have been decided by six points or less. On Saturday I think it will be seven and Mullen will go to 11-0.
Mississippi State 31-27
Time to take a look at the rest of the games in the SEC this weekend. Last week I went 5-2 making my season record 46-14. Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee have the week off.
Auburn at Arkansas- (NOON SEC Network)– Gus Malzahn’s club probably saved their season with the win at Kentucky last week. This week they travel to Fayetteville to play a rapidly improving Razorback club. If the Hogs want to get to six wins and a possible bowl game they have to win this one. With an extra week to prepare I think they win a close one.
Arkansas 24-20
Tennessee at Alabama- (3:30 CBS)- The 98th meeting between these two teams isn’t played on the third Saturday in October anymore but it is still one of the biggest SEC matchups every year.
The Crimson Tide not so gently reminded the rest of the league the road to the conference title goes through Tuscaloosa with their 41-23 win over Texas A&M last week.
The Volunteers have had an extra week to prepare after their come from behind win over Georgia. Joshua Dobbs and the offense will score some points but not nearly enough to win the game.
Alabama 35-21
Missouri at Vanderbilt- (4:00 SEC Network)- This one is likely to be a battle of defenses as neither team has been able to light up the scoreboard this season. Drew Lock has not been what Tiger fans had hoped for and the Commodore offense only tallied 17 against Middle Tennessee and 10 against South Carolina.
First one to 17 wins this game.
Missouri 17-10
Texas A&M at Ole Miss-(7:00 ESPN)– This will feature a battle of teams coming off disappointing losses a week ago. The Rebels were handled easily by Memphis while the Aggies were thumped by Alabama.
The Rebels will welcome the return of All-American left tackle Laremy Tunsil after a seven game suspension. Hugh Freeze hopes his presence will provide a spark against an Aggie defense that gave up 258 yards on the ground to “Bama last week.
This promises to be a high scoring contest. This is A&M’s first game outside the state of Texas this season. The Rebels remain in contention for a January bowl game.
Ole Miss 37-30
Western Kentucky at LSU- (7:00 ESPNU)– For my money this could be one of the best games of the weekend. The Hilltoppers under quarterback Brandon Doughty have averaged over 50 points a game in their last four contests.
The Tigers of course have Leonard Fournette who could have a field day against a WKU squad that gave up over 450 yards last week to an 0-6 North Texas team. I am not sure what the over is on this game but I would certainly take it.
LSU 45-27
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