The Associated Press
No. 1 Mississippi State (6-0, 3-0 SEC) at Kentucky (5-2, 2-2), 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Line: Mississippi State by 13 1-2.
Series record: Kentucky leads 21-20.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Two teams initially picked to finish low in their divisions instead enter as solid contenders. West-leading MSU comes off a bye with its first-ever top ranking and begins a favorable three-game stretch. After its three-game winning streak was rudely halted 41-3 at LSU, Kentucky seeks a rebound to stay in the East hunt.
KEY MATCHUP
Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott against Kentucky’s defense. The Wildcats are third in the SEC in pass defense and efficiency but face a tall task against the league’s top offense (529.7 yards per game) led by dual-threat Prescott, a Heisman Trophy candidate. He has four games with 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing and has accounted for 22 touchdowns, including 14 throwing the ball.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi State: LB Benardick McKinney leads the team with 41 tackles, including three sacks and six stops for loss. He’s tied for 14th in the SEC.
Kentucky: QB Patrick Towles ranks seventh in SEC total offense at 259.3 yards per game and is just behind Prescott in passing at 241.0 per contest with 10 TDs.
FACTS & FIGURES
Under coach Dan Mullen, Mississippi State has won five straight in the series. … Four of the past six meetings between the schools have been decided by a touchdown or less, including the Bulldogs’ 28-22 victory last season in Starkville. … Kentucky is 3-11 against No. 1 teams. … Mississippi State’s offense boasts uncanny balance, averaging 264.3 yards rushing and 265.3 passing per game. … The Wildcats’ 12 interceptions rank second in the SEC and fifth nationally. Kentucky had just three INTs last season.
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