College Sports

No. 16 Mississippi St., No. 22 Kentucky meet in SEC showdown

Posted October 13, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) passes against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

No. 16 Mississippi State (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at No. 22 Kentucky (4-2, 1-2), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Line: Mississippi State by 4 1/2 according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.

Series: Mississippi State leads 25-24.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Mississippi State has outscored opponents 127-55 during its three-game winning streak, its longest under coach Mike Leach, and seeks to enter SEC West contention. Kentucky has dropped two straight and hopes QB Will Levis returns from a left foot injury that kept him out of Saturday's 24-14 home loss to South Carolina.

KEY MATCHUP

Mississippi State QB Will Rogers vs. Kentucky pass defense. The SEC's top passer (2,110 yards, 22 TDs) has thrown for 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns the past three games, including 395 with three TDs in a 40-17 victory over Arkansas. He became the conference's career leader with 946 completions and is one TD shy of tying Dak Prescott's school record of 70 passing TDs. Kentucky counters with the SEC's No. 3 pass defense (174.2 yards allowed per game) and third-ranked unit overall (307.2).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mississippi State: LB Jett Johnson has a team-high 57 tackles that rank fourth in the SEC. He had 11 stops last week against Arkansas and recorded a career-best 13 in the opener against Memphis. Johnson's totals include 2.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He recovered a fumble in last year's win over Kentucky in Starkville.

Kentucky: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed 22 times for 126 yards against South Carolina in his second game back from suspension and moved into fifth place on the school's career list with 2,938.

FACTS AND FIGURES

MSU is off to its best start since going 6-0 in 2014 on the way to a No. 1 ranking. ... Dillon Johnson last week became the first Bulldog to rush for 100 yards under Leach. His 402 yards rank eighth among SEC rushers. ... Caleb Ducking ranks second in the SEC with seven receiving TDs. ... Kentucky's 25 sacks allowed ranks 129th out of 131 FBS schools. ... LB DeAndre Square needs 15 tackles to become the 20th Wildcat with 300 in his career. Jacquez Jones, who missed the South Carolina game with an injury, needs one.

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Injured Kentucky quarterback Will Levis greets fans before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb) The Associated Press

Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers (2) congratulates running back Dillon Johnson (23) on his 30-yard touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Mississippi State won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

Kentucky quarterback Kaiya Sheron looks for an open receiver during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against South Carolina in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb) The Associated Press

Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach confers with quarterback Will Rogers (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Mississippi State won 40-17. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

Kentucky quarterback Kaiya Sheron (12) hands the ball off during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Youngstown State in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb) The Associated Press

Mississippi State wide receiver Austin Williams (85) rolls in the end zone with a 10-yard touchdown reception against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) The Associated Press

Kentucky tight end Jordan Dingle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb) The Associated Press

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