Mississippi State @ Kentucky preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 29, 2011 ) Mississippi State 28, Kentucky 16

No. 20 Mississippi State travels to Lexington for this annual cross-divisional rivalry game after two weeks off the gridiron and nearly a full month removed from its Southeastern Conference opener. Quarterback Tyler Russell and the Bulldogs’ spread offense average 36 points per game, good for 35th in the nation, and will likely rely heavily on their rushing attack as they look to earn a fourth straight win over Kentucky. MSU running back LaDarius Perkins has tallied 389 yards, 6.8 per carry, and five touchdowns through four games while the Kentucky defense is just 95th in rushing yards allowed at 193 per game. The Wildcats offensive' gameplan is more clouded as starting quarterback Maxwell Smith is sidelined indefinitely with a torn ligament in his left ankle—an injury suffered in Kentucky’s 38-17 loss to South Carolina last week. Head coach Joker Phillips said freshmen Patrick Towels and Jalen Whitlow will rotate under center. Though the Bulldogs have had minimal success rushing the passer this year, their two star cornerbacks, Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay, must be licking their chops in anticipation of lining up against the inexperienced QBs.

TV: 12:21 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Mississippi State -10

KENTUCKY (1-4, 0-2 SEC): The Wildcats are coming off a pair of poor performances. After being shut out by Florida 38-0 on September 22, they took a 38-17 beating from South Carolina. Without Smith, Phillips and Co. will be forced to rely on Whitlow, who is expected start and enters the game 13-for-29 for 126 yards, five interceptions and zero touchdowns, and Towels, who has yet to take a collegiate snap. Whitlow helped Kentucky to a 17-7 lead last week, taking over early for an injured Smith, but threw two interceptions and was sacked six times as the Gamecocks rallied for 31 straight points. Raymond Sanders and Jonathan George, who split carries for the Wildcats, will likely carry the ball frequently. The duo enters the game with a combined 382 yards and five touchdowns.

MISSISSIPPI STATE (4-0, 1-0 SEC): Russell enters the game 59-for-106 on the season with 822 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. And, he’ll be getting sophomore tight end Malcolm Johnson back, according to The Mississippi Press. As a freshman, Johnson tallied 206 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Chad Bumphis has been Russell’s favorite target this season. Bumphis has 12 catches, averaging 22.6 yards per catch, and five scores. Defensively, the Bulldogs have forced 15 turnovers and held opponents to just 13.2 points per game. Banks and Slay have keyed that defensive efficiency, combining for seven interceptions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State is undefeated through September for the first time since 1999.

2. The Bulldogs haven’t started 2-0 in the SEC since 1999.

3. The Glantz-Culver line on Monday accidentally listed Kentucky as a 14-point favorite.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 42, Kentucky 24