Time for your Mississippi State at Kentucky Preview and SEC Predictions here at Last Word on College Football.
Mississippi State at Kentucky Preview
After a week off, the Wildcats return to action for a battle against the Bulldogs. For Kentucky, the off-week couldn’t have come at a better time as several players are dealing with injuries. Most notably quarterback Stephen Johnson, who had been struggling with a wrist injury since the Florida game but says he is “almost 100 percent.”
Mark Stoops‘ club currently sits at 3-3 overall and 2-2 in the SEC East, which is quickly becoming a dumpster fire, and who knows how things will end up. While some fans may not be thrilled with the record, here is a pretty amazing stat for you.
Last time UK (3-3) had a better record than Michigan State (2-4), Notre Dame (2-4), and Oregon (2-4) through 6 games of a season? 1985
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) October 16, 2016
In what seems like a recurring theme this year on Stoops’ weekly radio show, he once again had to deal with a difficult caller.
Caller asks Mark Stoops if Dan Mullen could come to Kentucky if Mississippi State… https://t.co/cXfnp6QcjO #BBN pic.twitter.com/BmMureFuMS
— SEC Country Kentucky (@SECCountryUK) October 17, 2016
At some point you have to wonder if some of these “fans” aren’t plants, because it is getting ridiculous. Stoops doesn’t deserve this but that is a story for another time.
Mississippi State at Kentucky (7:30 SEC Network)
While no where near the length of the 30-game losing streak to Florida, the Wildcats have lost seven straight to the Bulldogs. Dan Mullen is undefeated against Kentucky, and in only one game have the Cats even led at the half. When you lose seven in a row against your permanent SEC West opponent, that puts you in a real bind in trying to make a bowl game.
However, this is not the same Mississippi State team we have seen in years past. They are coming into the game on a two game losing streak and have lost three out of four overall.
In order to win this contest, the Cats must stop quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. The sophomore trails only Trevor Knight in rushing yards by a quarterback. In previous years, dual threat quarterbacks have give the Kentucky defense fits, however this unit has played well this season.
On the other side of the ball, the Cats need to control the tempo with the “Benny and Boom Show.” The talented duo has combined for 881 yards, seven touchdowns and sit in pretty good company in UK history.
Benny Snell and Boom Williams have most combined rushing yards (881) of any UK duo since Tony Dixon and Rafael Little in 2007.
— Jen Smith (@ByJenSmith) October 17, 2016
When you throw in JoJo Kemp’s three touchdowns, the Wildcats have one of the best running attacks in the league.
Since throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns against New Mexico State, Johnson has no touchdowns and only 273 yards total in the last three games. The Bulldogs will try to make the Cats beat them through the air.
A win would give Kentucky three wins in the SEC for the first time since 2009. In previous seasons, this is a game the Cats would lose, but this seems like a different Wildcat team.
Kentucky will beat a Mullen-coached team for the first time and continue its march towards a bowl game.
Kentucky 24-17
SEC Prediction Time
Last week was a pretty good one for the Old Krystal Ball going 4-2 with Georgia and Ole Miss the two losses. That makes the season record 52-9. Some big games in the league this Saturday, and we will start in Tuscaloosa.
Texas A&M at Alabama- (3:30 CBS)
The Crimson Tide will be facing a Top 25 ranked club for the third week in a row on Saturday. Nick Saban’s club seems unstoppable at this point, rolling up 45 points a game but the defense has been just as impressive.
.@AlabamaFTBL has scored 11 touchdowns on defense and special teams this season.
Its defense has allowed 11 touchdowns all season. pic.twitter.com/y3UhXFHgAf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 15, 2016
For the Aggies to have any chance, Trevor Knight will have to have a career game, and even that might not be enough. Kevin Sumlin’s club ranks eighth in football in total offense but 99th in total defense. Big plays and turnovers have helped win games for the Aggies, but Alabama rarely turns the ball over. The Tide will march to their 20th straight win.
Alabama 42-24
Massachusetts at South Carolina- (NOON SEC Network)
The Gamecocks have lost three in a row and are coming off a much needed bye week. This will be the third game the Minutemen have played against an SEC team. This will also be the third game the Minutemen have lost against the SEC.
South Carolina 24-10
Middle Tennessee at Missouri- (4:00 SEC Network)
The Tigers are coming off back-to-back blowout losses and desperately need a win. The Blue Raiders dropped a tough one to Western Kentucky in overtime last week. Drew Lock should have a nice bounce back game and lead Mizzou to a win.
Missouri- 31-20
Arkansas at Auburn- (6:00 ESPN)
The Razorbacks picked up their first SEC win over Ole Miss last week and will try to pick up a huge road win.
The Tigers blitzed Mississippi State two weeks ago behind a strong running game. Playing at home Gus Malzahn’s team should pick up a fairly easy victory.
Auburn- 27-17
Tennessee State at Vanderbilt- (7:30 ESPNU)
The Commodores picked up the biggest win in Derek Mason’s career with an upset of Georgia last week. The Tigers from the Ohio Valley Conference are one point away from being 6-0 on the season. In this battle of Nashville, Vandy will inch close to six wins and a possible bowl game.
Vanderbilt- 28-17
Ole Miss at LSU- (9:00 ESPN)
The Tigers have caught fire since Ed Orgeron took over for Les Miles in Baton Rouge. The Rebels are one of the biggest disappointments in all of college football this season. LSU will have Leonard Fournette back on Saturday and should roll to a win.
LSU 38-24
Florida, Georgia and Tennessee have the week off. Thanks for reading see you next time.
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