Blue Preview: Your one-click guide to the Kentucky football game vs. Mississippi
Kentucky vs. Mississippi
When: 4 p.m., Saturday (Oct. 3).
Where: Kroger Field (normal capacity of 61,000 but attendance capped at 20 percent of that (around 12,200) in 2020 because of the coronavirus).
TV: SEC Network (play-by-play, Taylor Zarzour; analysis, Matt Stinchcomb; sideline, Taylor McGregor).
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1.
Satellite radio: XM Channel 191; Sirius Channel 135; Internet Channel 962.
Records: Kentucky, 0-1 SEC; Mississippi, 0-1 SEC.
Series history: Mississippi leads 28-14-1 and has won eight of the past 11 meetings.
Last meeting: Mississippi won 37-34 on Nov. 4, 2017, at Kroger Field.
Line: Kentucky is favored by seven points.
The story line
After a frustrating loss at Auburn to open its season, Kentucky makes its 2020 home debut in a game where a victory is vitally important to the arc of the Wildcats’ season.
The number to watch
Kentucky’s end-of-drive efficiency percentage. In three trips inside the Auburn 20-yard line, UK scored only one touchdown. In six drives that reached Auburn territory, the Wildcats scored only twice. Against an Ole Miss offense that produced 613 yards of offense in its 51-35 loss to No. 5 Florida last week, a UK team built around a ball-control, power-rushing attack must take better advantage of scoring opportunities.
The big threat
Matt Corral. Known as a pocket passer, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound redshirt sophomore was Lane Kiffin’s choice to start over run-oriented quarterback John Rhys Plumlee vs. Florida. Corral made the new Ole Miss coach look good by throwing for 395 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Gators.
On the spot
The Kentucky defensive backfield. After giving up only nine touchdown passes all last season, UK surrendered three TDs through the air at Auburn. With Kentucky’s next two games vs. the teams presently ranked third (Ole Miss) and first (Mississippi State) in the country in passing, the Cats’ pass defense needs to step it up.
The mood
Is deflated. After an offseason of unbridled fan optimism, Kentucky miscues (three crucial turnovers and a failed fake punt) cost the Cats a realistic chance at an attention-grabbing victory at Auburn. Facing an unforgiving all-SEC schedule, it is imperative for Mark Stoops and troops to get the train back on the track against a Mississippi program in only its second game with a new coach.
This story was originally published September 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
