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The SEC Network will be in Lexington, Kentucky this weekend to feature the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Kentucky Wildcats football game Saturday night. These two teams are each other’s permanent SEC West versus SEC East matchup each year, so they are used to playing each other. MSU narrowly holds the series record against UK, 22-21.
Mississippi State (2-4, 1-2 SEC) is coming off of a double overtime loss to BYU last Friday night. The Bulldogs have lost their last two games and are currently in last place in the SEC West.
Bulldog Struggles
MSU is led by sophomore quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. So far this season, he leads the team in both passing and rushing yards. Under Head Coach Dan Mullen, MSU is 7-0 against the Wildcats, but that streak may come to an end this weekend as the Bulldogs have had a disappointing start to their season. Mullen said that his team has been preparing for this tough matchup on the road.
#SECNation and Big Blue Nation!
In 24 hours … we are LIVE from @UKFootball. pic.twitter.com/riKgowYzEM
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 21, 2016
Kentucky (3-3, 2-2 SEC) had their bye week last weekend, just in time for some much needed rest. UK is currently tied with Tennessee for second in the SEC East and have a chance to be bowl eligible for the first time since 2010.
Cats Running Game
The Wildcats rely on three different running backs to spearhead their offense. Jojo Kemp, Boom Williams and Benny Snell, Jr have a combined ten rushing touchdowns on the year. UK quarterback Stephen Johnson has been the starter under center since week 4 against South Carolina after first string quarterback Drew Barker injured his back in week 3. There has been no improvement for Barker, so Johnson remains the starter. He has gone 2-1 as a starter this season. Head coach Mark Stoops was glad to have the bye week going into the last half of their season. Head coach Mark Stoops was glad his team had the bye week before the start of the second half of the season.
Last year’s matchup between these teams was a blowout win for Mississippi State, 42-16. However, MSU has since lost quarterback Dak Prescott to the NFL so this should be a different ball game compared to last year.
The game will be Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and will air on the SEC Network.
