September 21, 2024; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Maxwell Hairston (1) intercepts an Ohio Bobcats pass in the third quarter at Kroger Field. It leads toward the end zone. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images After four warm-up games against lackluster competition before the 2024 season begins, Mississippi State is now ready to face the harsh realities of the Southeastern Conference.
The Rebels, ranked No. 6 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, begin SEC play on Saturday at home against Kentucky in Oxford, Mississippi.
Mississippi State (4-0) dropped one spot in the polls despite beating visiting Georgia Southern 52-13 last week, its fourth consecutive blowout win by at least 34 points. Tennessee, one of nine SEC schools in the top 25, moved up to No. 5 with a 25-15 road win over Oklahoma, which entered the game ranked No. 15.
Mississippi's Jaxson Dart leads FBS quarterbacks with 388.5 passing yards per game and is tied for fourth with 12 passing touchdowns. Ranked first in the country in passing yards (average 670.8 yards) and passing yards (average 422.8 yards per game).
The Wildcats (2-2, 0-2 SEC) are 0-3 against Ole Miss under 12th-year coach Mark Stoops. Kentucky most recently lost to Oxford two years ago, 22-19, and before that, the Wildcats lost 42-41 in overtime in 2020 and 37-34 in overtime in 2017 Lost, both times at home in Lexington.
Lost by seven points in three games.
“(Kentucky) held Georgia down to the wire and ran for over 200 yards (last week against Ohio State),” said Rebels coach Lane Kiffin, who is now 2-0. Wildcats. “They look a lot like an NFL defense from a size, coverage and skill standpoint.
“That's why a lot of people struggle with them. (Their) games look like NFL games: It's hard to get yards, it's hard to run the ball.”
Kiffin likened his Rebels to a fishing trip, calling the team a great boat with a thin rod and the right bait for traversing SEC waters.
“They have a chance to be truly elite, and they have a chance to be really special,” he added.
Mississippi State will face a team still trying to find itself through four home games. Kentucky's performance in two SEC games has been inconsistent — falling short in the first but standing tall in the second and nearly shocking the college football world.
Between wins over Southern Mississippi and Ohio State in Weeks 1 and 4, respectively, the Wildcats played a sloppy SEC opener against South Carolina. Kentucky turned the ball over twice (once in six picks), committed 11 penalties, had 5 sacks and 11 tackles, and ultimately lost 31-6.
However, as a three-touchdown underdog at home, Kentucky lost 13-12 to the then-No. Georgia ranked first, with four field goals by Alex Raynor (two of which went over 50 yards), but lost the Bulldogs' comeback after taking a 9-6 lead in the fourth quarter.
“We're accepting the challenge,” said defensive back Maxwell Hairston, who was assigned the No. 6 spot in the Wildcats' 41-6 win over Ohio State last week. “Mississippi's offense is so explosive … we're going to watch film and do what we have to do.”
“I know Mississippi State is better in a lot of ways and that's because of Ryan,” Stoops said. “I mean, they've been good, but I think they've really built a very special team. Team.
Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key had a stellar game against the Bobcats, catching seven passes for 145 yards as the Wildcats totaled 488 yards.
The Rebels lead 29-14-1 in series history.
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