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The Kentucky Wildcats (3-3) and the Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-4) square off this Saturday, and both teams are looking for victories.
The Bulldogs have owned the Wildcats in the cross-division rivalry in recent years, winning the last seven match-ups. However, the Bulldogs are struggling in the post-Dak Prescott era on both sides of the ball and have lost early season matchups to South Alabama and a loss to BYU in double-overtime last week.
The Wildcats have some momentum coming into this game, winning three of their last four games, including a victory against Vanderbilt two weeks ago. They have had two weeks to prepare for this matchup after having a bye last week.
One of the biggest challenges standing in the way of a Wildcats victory is Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. At 6’5 and 230 pounds, Fitzgerald is a big quarterback who has the ability to run. The Bulldogs have made use of Fitzgerald’s running ability throughout the season, as he has rushed for 431 yards and two touchdowns, including two games of more than 100 yards rushing.
The Wildcats will need this game to keep their bowl hopes alive. Kentucky has enough winnable games in the back half of the schedule to make a bowl game, but it has to start with a win over the Bulldogs. A win moves the ‘Cats to 4-3 with matchups against Missouri, Austin Peay, and a Georgia team that has struggled as of late.
A loss would mean the Wildcats would have to defeat all three of the aforementioned teams to reach six wins. Needless to say, this Saturday will be another very important game for Mark Stoops and the Wildcats.
Here is everything you’ll need to watch and follow UK host MSU.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) at Kentucky Wildcats (3-3, 2-2)
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday
Where: Commonwealth Stadium (61,000) in Lexington, Ky.
TV: Mark Jones (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst) and Quiny Kessenich (sideline) will have the call on SEC Network.
Channel: DirecTV 611, Dish 408 and Time Warner Cable 76/796 in Lexington.
Radio: Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst) and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the call on the UK Sports Network.
Live Online Stream: ESPN will live stream the SEC Network broadcast via WatchESPN.
Odds: Mississippi State by 3, according to Odds Shark. We wrote earlier this week on why UK being an underdog is so significant.
Weather: Though Lexington has been hit with rain in recent days, Saturday night is expected to be a beautiful one in Commonwealth Stadium. According to Weather Underground, it will be sunny and clear with temperatures in the 50s at game time.