Mississippi State vs. Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview

Kentucky (4-2) gave away a winnable game against Auburn last week at home, and now can it somehow come up with a key road win to prevent a possible second-half swoon for the second straight year? Mississippi State (5-2) is cruising right along, and now itcan rise up and become bowl eligible before the big games come. Check out the Mississippi State vs. Kentucky prediction and game preview.

Mississippi State vs. Kentucky Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Game Time: 7:30 pm
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS
Network: SEC Network

Follow, Contact @PeteFiutak

Why You Need To Care

Kentucky was fine with a 4-1 start and a big, nationally-televised home game against Auburn, but it couldn’t come through in key moments in the 30-27 loss. With three road games in the next four, it’s going to be a rough run with Tennessee at home next before going to Georgia. Can the Wildcats steal a win before going to Vandy? The team is playing better, but getting a win over a team as strong as Mississippi State on the road would be a huge step forward.

The Bulldogs haven’t been pushed too hard, losing the two big tests on the slate to LSU and Texas A&M, but they’ve done what they’ve had to do to come up with a nice start to the season. While this is a good, sound team that’s good enough to beat anyone else on the schedule on the right day, with road games at Missouri and Arkansas coming up, and home games against Alabama and Ole Miss, it’ll take the pressure off if MSU can get the sixth win now and become bowl eligible. The program is shooting for bigger things, but getting to six wins would be a success in a bit of a rebuilding year.

Why Kentucky Will Win

The Mississippi State running game isn’t working when Dak Prescott isn’t taking off. The Bulldogs got five of their 12 rushing scores on the year against Northwestern State, and while they ran well against Texas A&M, Prescott had a lot to do with that taking off for 96 yards and a score. It’s easier said than done, but Kentucky and its decent run defense should be able to keep everyone else in check. Improved over the first part of the year UK kept Florida, Missouri and Auburn all in check, allowing fewer than 3.4 yards per carry against all of them. Stop Prescott, stop MSU.

Why Mississippi State Will Win

Yeah, stop Dak Prescott. It’s just that easy. Mississippi State might not have a steady running game, but it could be argued that no quarterback in America is doing more for his team right now. Prescott has been fantastic throwing the ball, completing 66% of his throws with 210 yards or more in every game but the win over Troy – he was dinged up and wasn’t needed – with 11 touchdown passes and no picks. He’s not going to beat himself. If Auburn’s Sean White could get it done against UK last week, Prescott shouldn’t have any problems.

Player Who Matters

Kentucky QB Patrick Towles looked like Patrick Manziel in last year’s game against the Bulldogs. Mississippi State came into Lexington unbeaten, and Towles almost won the game by himself throwing for 390 yards and two scores and running for 76 yards and two scores. He isn’t taking off and running like he was expected to, but he’s been on fire throwing the ball with over 300 yards in each of his last two games with 359 yards against Auburn in last week’s loss. He doesn’t have to outplay Prescott, but he has to come close.

What’s Going To Happen?

The Bulldog defense will come up with a nice day at home. Prescott will have another efficient, effective day, and the D will generate enough takeaways to put the game away early in the second half. Kentucky is good, but it’ll show once again that it’s just not quite strong enough to win a game like this.