SEC Power Rankings, Week 9: LSU, Alabama steady as Texas A&M falls apart
Oct 24, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kivon Coman (11) attempts to tackle Kentucky Wildcats running back Stanley Williams (18) during the first quarter of the game at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Starting quarterback Patrick Towles threw for 218 yards, but tossed two costly interceptions – which gives him nine picks this season and five over the last three games. Towles gave way to redshirt freshman Drew Barker in the fourth quarter after the game was out of hand, and Barker completed seven of nine passes but was also picked off.
The turnovers were disappointing, but the Kentucky defense was worse. With a second quarter interception as the only major exception, the Wildcats had no answer for Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, who accounted for 465 of MSU’s 586 total yards and scored six touchdowns – three passes and three runs.
Next Game: Saturday October 31 vs. Tennessee
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11
Kentucky Wildcats 4-3 (2-3)
Last week: Lost to Mississippi State 42-16
Last rank: 11th
After improving to 4-1 with a 21-13 victory over Missouri Sept. 26 (which looks less impressive each week because of the Tigers’ poor play), Kentucky has taken three big steps back. First, the Wildcats needed a furious fourth quarter comeback to force overtime against FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky before winning 34-27, then lost 30-27 to Auburn following a bye week. It was only the second loss of the season, and both were close.
With two extra days to prepare following the Thursday night kickoff, Kentucky turned their attention to a winnable game against Mississippi State in Starkville. However, UK was completely outclassed in a 42-16 loss to the Bulldogs.
Starting quarterback Patrick Towles threw for 218 yards, but tossed two costly interceptions – which gives him nine picks this season and five over the last three games. Towles gave way to redshirt freshman Drew Barker in the fourth quarter after the game was out of hand, and Barker completed seven of nine passes but was also picked off.
The turnovers were disappointing, but the Kentucky defense was worse. With a second quarter interception as the only major exception, the Wildcats had no answer for Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott, who accounted for 465 of MSU’s 586 total yards and scored six touchdowns – three passes and three runs.
Next Game: Saturday October 31 vs. Tennessee
Next: Auburn