Mississippi

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State viewing info, what to watch for, and predictions

Published

9 months ago

January 9, 2025

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State viewing info, what to watch for, and predictions

Coming off a disappointing loss to Georgia, the Kentucky Wildcats will hit the road again on Saturday, this time against the 14th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Led by third-year head coach Chris Jans, the Bulldogs currently hold their highest ranking since the 2018-19 season. It’s not been due to a poor schedule either, as the Bulldogs have the eighth-strongest strength of record according to ESPN, including four Quad I wins.

Ranked top 25 in KenPom offensive and defensive efficiency, Mississippi State is just one of 11 teams that fit that criteria. That said, Kentucky is 2-0 against such teams as Duke and Florida.

Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Rebounding Battle

Kentucky’s biggest issue of late has been rebounding, which Mark Pope called a “major issue” after the loss to Georgia. The Wildcats have been outrebounded in four straight games, including Brown, and have given up double-digit offensive rebounds in back-to-back games to start SEC play.

The rebounding battle is not going to be any easier against Mississippi State, who ranks 30th in rebounds per game (39.3) and grabs 34.4% of their own misses.

On paper, Kentucky has more size, and it will be important for ALL five players to box out. As they teach in youth basketball, Hit-Turn-Drive-Purse.

Take Care of the Ball

Kentucky has been one of the top ten teams in the country in taking care of the ball, but they coughed it up 13 times to Georgia, their second-highest mark of the season.

On the other side, Mississippi State is really good at forcing turnovers. Per game, the Bulldogs turn their opponent over nearly 15 times. About ten of those come from steals, where they rank in the top 10 nationally.

Kentucky has scored more than 1 point per possession this season, so think of it as leaving points on the board. They need to commit nine or fewer turnovers.

Physicality

The officiating has not been great in Kentucky’s first two SEC contests. However, that’s just part of the game. As Mark Pope says, only focus on what you can control.

One thing they can focus on and control is their level of physicality. Kentucky responded to the physicality of Florida but never matched it against Georgia, and that is a big reason why they lost.

Again, Kentucky has the size, but they have to show the mentality. In the SEC you have to be the most physical team or meet the level every night out.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Josh Hubbard 5-11, 190 lbs

17.1 PPG (T-9th in SEC)
3.3 APG
38.2% 3P

F Keshawn Murphy 6-10, 230 lbs

9.9 PPG
7.7 RPG (9th in SEC)
1.3 BPG

F Cameron Matthews 6-7, 235 lbs

6.9 RPG
4.1 APG (8th in SEC)
2.5 SPG (1st in SEC)

Time: 8:30 PM ET

Date: January 11th, 2024

Location: Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi

TV Channel: SEC Network

Announcers: Dave Neal and Jon Sundvold will call the action.

Online Stream: You can stream the game online using ESPN+ and the ESPN app.

Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.

Replay: WatchESPN and SEC Network (check local listings).

Rosters: UK | MISS ST

Stats to Know: UK | MISS ST

KenPom: UK | MISS ST

Team Sheet: UK | MISS ST

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds for the game, so please check back later for those, but assume Kentucky will be an underdog. ESPN is the most confident in Kentucky’s chances to win…at just 36.8%. EvanMiya is the most pessimistic, giving the Cats just a 28.1% chance of victory. Bart Torvik (33%) and KenPom (31%) fall in between.

Predictions: The analytics have Kentucky losing by 5+ points in Stakrville. Haslametrics has Kentucky losing 86-79. EvanMiya has the Cats losing 82-76. Bart Torvik (85-80) and KenPom (84-79) are going with a five-point loss. I think Kentucky struggles again with another physical team that is more talented than Georgia or Ohio State. I believe Kentucky will drop a second straight, 78-72.

How do you see this one going? Send us your Kentucky vs. Mississippi State score predictions in the comments section!

Go Cats!!

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Mississippi

Tennessee’s all-time football results versus Mississippi State

Published

5 days ago

September 23, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee’s all-time football results versus Mississippi State

No. 15 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1 SEC) will play for its first Southeastern Conference win in 2025 during Week 5. Mississippi State (4-0) will host the Vols on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the contest.

Saturday will mark the 38th game between the Vols and Bulldogs all time, dating to 1907.

Tennessee leads the football series versus Mississippi State, 30-16-1. The Vols have won the last two meetings, including a, 33-14, victory last season at Neyland Stadium.

Below are all-time football results between the Vols and Bulldogs.

Tennessee’s all-time football results versus Mississippi State

1907: Tennessee 11, Mississippi State 4

1910: Mississippi State 48, Tennessee 0

1915: Mississippi State 10, Tennessee 0

1919: Mississippi State 6, Tennessee 0

1920: Mississippi State 13 Tennessee 7

1921: Tennessee 14, Mississippi State 7

1922: Tennessee 31, Mississippi State 3

1923: Tennessee 7, Mississippi State 3

1924: Mississippi State 7, Tennessee 2

1925: Tennessee 14, Mississippi State 9

1926: Tennessee 33, Mississippi State 0

1932: Tennessee 31, Mississippi State 0

1933: Tennessee 20, Mississippi State 0

1934: Tennessee 14, Mississippi State 0

1948: Mississippi State 21, Tennessee 6

1949: Tennessee 10, Mississippi State 0

1950: Mississippi State 7, Tennessee 0

1951: Tennessee 14, Mississippi State 0

1952: Tennessee 14, Tennessee 7

1953: Mississippi State 26, Tennessee 0

1954: Tennessee 19, Mississippi State 7

1955: Mississippi State 13, Tennessee 7

1957: Tennessee 14, Mississippi State 9

1958: Tennessee 13, Mississippi State 8

1959: Tennessee 22, Mississippi State 6

1960: Tennessee 0, Mississippi State 0

1961: Tennessee 17, Mississippi State 3

1962: Mississippi State 7, Tennessee 6

1963: Mississippi State 7, Tennessee 0

1964: Tennessee 14, Mississippi 13

1971: Tennessee 10, Mississippi State 7

1978: Mississippi State 34, Tennessee 21

1979: Mississippi State 28, Tennessee 9

1986: Mississippi State 27, Tennessee 23

1987: Tennessee 38, Mississippi State 10

1990: Tennessee 40, Mississippi State 7

1991: Tennessee 26, Mississippi State 24

1994: Mississippi State 24, Tennessee 21

1995: Tennessee 52, Mississippi State 14

1998: Tennessee 24, Mississippi State 14 — SEC championship game

2002: Tennessee 35, Mississippi State 17

2003: Tennessee 59, Mississippi State 21

2007: Tennessee 33, Mississippi State 21

2008: Tennessee 34, Mississippi State 3

2012: Mississippi State 41, Tennessee 31

2019: Tennessee 20, Mississippi State 10

2024: Tennessee 33, Tennessee 14

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Mississippi State football doesn’t miss Mario Craver, other overreactions to Alcorn State win

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi State football doesn’t miss Mario Craver, other overreactions to Alcorn State win

STARKVILLE — It’s difficult to determine what Mississippi State football’s lopsided 63-0 win against Alcorn State in Week 3 means for the outlook of the season, but there was certainly no indication of a potential upset.

The Bulldogs (3-0) scored touchdowns on four straight drives to begin the game and led by 42 points before halftime. The third and fourth quarters at Davis Wade Stadium were reduced from 15 to 10 minutes because of the score. MSU and second-year coach Jeff Lebby are 3-0 for the first time since 2018.

Here are four overreactions to MSU’s win before it hosts Northern Illinois (1-1) on Sept. 20 (3:15 p.m., SEC Network).

Mississippi State fans will storm the field after another upset win

Mississippi State has qualities of a team than can pull off another upset like it did to then-No. 10 Arizona State in Week 2. When the offense, defense and special teams are playing soundly, MSU is miles better than last season.

The offense, led by quarterback Blake Shapen, can score in bunches and do so quickly. The defense can string together multiple stops in a row and is forcing two turnovers per game. Kyle Ferrie has yet to miss a field goal, while Anthony Evans III is second in the SEC with 128 punt return yards.

Mississippi State’s four SEC home games are all against ranked opponents — Tennessee, Texas, Georgia and Ole Miss — so don’t be surprised if fans storm the field again in one of those games.

Kamario Taylor is a future Heisman Trophy contender

There have been glimpses of freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor and you can already tell why everyone is so excited about the four-star signee from Noxubee County.

He scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter against Alcorn State, a 42-yard on-the-money throw to Brenen Thompson. Taylor also had a great rush when he read the edge defender, tucked the ball and ran for 19 yards.

Taylor will have to wait for next season to compete for the starting job, but he has the makings to be a special player.

Mississippi State is fine without Mario Craver, Kevin Coleman Jr.

Mario Craver leads college football with 443 receiving yards for Texas A&M. Kevin Coleman Jr. of Missouri is tied for fifth nationally with 24 receptions. Both transferred after last season ended, but Mississippi State is doing just fine without them.

Evans and Thompson have been a terrific duo at wide receiver. Evans, a Georgia transfer, has filled Coleman’s role at MSU as a shorter-yard target with 17 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns. Thompson, an Oklahoma transfer, has played Craver’s role as a downfield burner with 15 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns.

It’s unlikely that Mississippi State could’ve had all four of them on the same team, but losing two great wide receivers hasn’t hurt this season.

Mississippi State’s pass rush will be a weakness in SEC play

Will Whitson was playing like a premier pass rusher before his season-ending injury in Week 2. The Bulldogs haven’t been great at generating pressure though outside of him.

Whitson has two of MSU’s four sacks. He’s also still the only player for MSU with more than one tackle for loss.

The defensive front looks improved from last season, but will still need to be better for SEC standards.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Bulldog Roundup: Mississippi State cross country sets new mark at Southern Showcase

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2025

Press Room

Bulldog Roundup: Mississippi State cross country sets new mark at Southern Showcase

Friday was a special day for Mississippi State sports and it was the cross country team that got things started for the university.

The Bulldogs put in a record-breaking performance to finish in second place at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Ala.

“We’re really pleased with how the team raced today,” said assistant coach Erinn Stemnan-Fahey. “Today, they showed the strides the program has made towards improvement. We’re really excited to keep building on the momentum for the rest of the season.”

The team improved its finish from last year by 6 places, with three athletes finishing in the top 20 overall. Nelly Jemeli led the Bulldogs, literally. Jemeli finished fourth overall in 16-minutes, 36.1 seconds.

Louise Stonham finished 17th in her first cross country race in the maroon and white with a massive personal best of 17:10.0. Gabrielle Boulay and Hunter Anderson rounded out the scorers for state, with the latter running a personal best of 17:31.0.

Women’s Tennis: Mississippi State at Blue Gray Classic
Women’s Tennis: Mississippi State at Debbie Southern Classic
Men’s Tennis: ITF Fayetteville M15 Futures
Cross Country: Southern Showcase, Huntsville, Ala., 2nd Place
Soccer: Mississippi State 3, No. 1 Tennessee 2

Football: Alcorn State at Mississippi State
Women’s Tennis: Mississippi State at Blue Gray Classic
Women’s Tennis: Mississippi State at Debbie Southern Classic
Men’s Tennis: ITF Fayetteville M15 Futures
Volleyball: Mississippi State at Mercer, Noon

“One night, Bilbo got particularly feisty, so my dad and I drove him out to woods. Once we found a good spot, we stopped and I put him on the ground and took his collar off. He kind of ambled about, taking in the new surroundings. I preface this next part by saying I do think humans and animals share an unspoken understanding, to some extent. That’s why it’s so easy to bond with pets. So this is how I remember saying goodbye to Bilbo: He wandered 10 yards away or so from the truck, and then he turned and looked at us and kind of had this expression like, ‘It was nice knowing ya.’ It was this moment where like, both I knew and he knew that we’d had some good times, but this was it.”
– Mike Leach

POV you just beat the #1 team in the country 😤#HailState | @HailStateSOC pic.twitter.com/0aaI6iacbz
— Mississippi State Athletics (@HailState) September 13, 2025
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