Kentucky football vs. Mississippi State: Betting line, 3 things to know

Kentucky head soccer coach Mark Stoops was perplexed after the Wildcats’ loss at Mississippi State final fall.

“Fairly troublesome to have a gap assertion as a result of it’s been awhile since we performed a sport like that,” Stoops mentioned after the 31-17 beatdown on Oct. 30, 2021. “Not an excellent feeling.”

Almost a yr later, that feeling returned with UK’s 24-14 loss to unranked South Carolina on Saturday. Stoops was so upset by his staff’s lack of vitality in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Kroger Subject that he issued an apology to followers Monday earlier than addressing what wants to enhance earlier than dealing with the No. 16 Bulldogs (5-1, 2-1 Southeastern Convention) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Lexington.

“When you do not ship for the fanbase, it form of bothers you as a head coach since you recognize them a lot,” Stoops mentioned. “Sorry we didn’t ship, and I can promise you our staff is working exhausting and we’re enthusiastic about this week.”

Final season’s lopsided loss to the Bulldogs was the second act of a three-game skid that spoiled Kentucky’s possibilities at reaching a a New Yr’s Six bowl. Having misplaced back-to-back SEC video games, the No. 22 Wildcats (4-2, 1-2) head into their 2022 matchup in opposition to Mike Leach and firm trying to proper the ship — and keep away from historical past repeating itself.

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Listed here are issues to know as UK vies to get again within the win column:

Kentucky’s Will: ‘Each day’ however trending in the correct course

Offensive coordinator Wealthy Scangarello on Tuesday mentioned quarterback Will Levis is sharing reps with backup Kaiya Sheron whereas the the projected first-round NFL draft choose stays “daily” with an undisclosed foot harm he suffered in an Oct. 1 loss at Ole Miss.

Levis was not made accessible to the media after apply. However the excellent news, in accordance with Scangarello, is the senior is “trending the best way we hope he tendencies” after being penciled in because the Wildcats’ QB1 in opposition to a Mississippi State protection that’s permitting 21 factors and 219.5 yards by the air per sport.

“They have been overwhelming offenses,” Scangarello mentioned of defensive coordinator Zach Arnett’s unit. “In the event you allow them to, they’ll leap on you; and you need to match that depth, you bought to be sharp and you bought to have an awesome week of apply to arrange for one thing like this.”

Kaiya Sheron:Why Kentucky coaches mentioned lopsided loss to South Carolina is not on backup QB

Levis returning to the beginning lineup ought to present a few of the depth Scangarello is searching for. Though Kentucky’s coaches mentioned the supporting forged didn’t play nicely sufficient round Sheron through the loss to South Carolina, the backup conceded after the sport that Levis “can do issues that I can not” and that coaches would not “give me the rein that Will has” in his first begin.

“It is superior having No. 7 again out right here,” freshman vast receiver Dane Key mentioned, “simply with the ability to know that he is gonna come out and he is gonna be able to play and he is gonna dominate whoever’s throughout the ball from him.”

Levis’s anticipated return from harm underscores the significance of his offensive line maintaining him upright in opposition to Mississippi State, which has tallied 14 sacks by six video games. The Wildcats rank 129th within the nation with 25 QB takedowns surrendered.

“We obtained to chop down on getting beat in one-on-one (matchups),” offensive line coach Zach Yenser mentioned. “It isn’t missed assignments.”

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Mississippi State’s Will: Making SEC historical past

Will Rogers has each proper to be licking his chops on the considered dealing with Kentucky’s protection.

As a sophomore, Rogers torched the Wildcats, finishing 36 of his 39 move makes an attempt for 344 yards and a landing throughout Mississippi State’s come-from-behind rout in Starkville final fall. All he is executed since is break the SEC record for career completions 24 video games sooner than the quarterback who beforehand held the title, former Georgia gunslinger Aaron Murray.

“Will Rogers is taking part in at a really, very excessive stage,” mentioned Stoops, noting the Brandon, Mississippi, native appears to be like “in whole command” of an offense that’s averaging 38.5 factors on 461.3 whole yards per sport.

Rogers leads the nation in passing yards (2,110) and ranks second in touchdowns by the air (22). He’ll attempt to add to these totals in opposition to a UK protection that regarded out of kinds through the second half of final week’s loss to South Carolina, which scored 17 factors on 266 yards of whole offense after the intermission.

“In the present day had all the pieces to do with simply execution and tackling,” defensive coordinator Brad White mentioned after the sport. “We have to be higher on the finish of the day.”

“It simply was missed performs,” Stoops mentioned Monday. “Actually no excuse for it.”

Dane Key, Kentucky pass-catchers eye bounce-back efficiency

After the loss to South Carolina, Stoops mentioned Kentucky’s vast receives didn’t convey down sufficient “aggressive catches.”

Whereas getting ready to face Mississippi State, Secret’s taking his head coach’s problem about as actually as one can — albeit not by alternative.

Key, who’s tied for the staff lead in landing receptions however hasn’t scored since Sept. 17 in opposition to Youngstown State, was sporting what he referred to as a precautionary wrap round his proper wrist and hand on Tuesday. Throughout the fourth quarter final week, he fell to the bottom and landed awkwardly on the realm whereas pursuing a ball was thrown his manner.

“It is just a bit bit extra focus,” Key mentioned of how the wrap is affecting his catching talents. “I can not catch it with my palm proper now. It is extra just a little fingertip catch on the correct hand, focusing and simply dialing in all through the apply.”

If all goes in accordance with plan, Key mentioned he could have the wrap eliminated earlier than taking the sector in opposition to the Bulldogs. And the added consideration to element the impairment has demanded throughout Key’s preparation may repay for one of many younger leaders of a place group searching for a return to kind in an important sport in opposition to a top-25 protection.

Scangarello, for his half, believes that may occur.

“I really feel assured with the beginning group and the ability gamers that, when the ball comes their manner, they’re gonna make the performs,” Scangarello mentioned. “I belief each considered one of them.”

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What’s the betting line on the Kentucky-Mississippi State sport?

Mississippi State is favored by 6.5 factors as of Wednesday morning, in accordance with the VegasInsider.com consensus line.

Prediction: Mississippi State 27, Kentucky 24

After watching South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler poke holes in Kentucky’s protection through the second half in Week 6, it is exhausting to think about a situation through which a extra environment friendly passer, Rogers, does not do the identical in Week 7. The Wildcats have intercepted opposing QBs 5 instances this season and can in all probability want to finish Rogers’ three-game clear sheet to sluggish Mississippi State’s offense down.

Levis ought to present a serious increase to UK’s offense, however the unit has issues that transcend who’s below middle. Stoops has not shied away from shouldering his beginning quarterback with a few of the blame for an alarming sack charge, too. All indicators level to the backfield stress persevering with in opposition to a worthy challenger, which may give the Wildcats matches whereas making an attempt to impose their tempo of play on Mike Leach’s staff.

For these causes, Kentucky’s two-game shedding streak will stretch to a few.

Attain recruiting and trending sports activities reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and observe him on Twitter at @brooksHolton.