Mark Stoops explains why Starkville is a hard place to play

Nothing is simple about going on the road and looking for a way to win, especially in the SEC. That’s the task in front of Mark Stoops and Kentucky this weekend as they travel to a place where they haven’t left victorious in 15 years.

Stoops spoke about the Wildcat’s road trip to Starkville to play Mississippi State on Saturday night during his press conference on Monday. While every field is unique, Stoops said the fact that it’s an away game in the conference makes it a challenge and Davis Wade Stadium is no different for the Bulldogs.

“I just think it’s another SEC team on the road,” said Stoops. “If you listen to every SEC coach? It’s probably about the first thing that they’re going to say – going on the road and winning in these venues is not easy.”

“Starkville is the same,” Stoops said. “They have a passionate fanbase, they have a team that’s always long, physical, plays very hard. It’s a hostile environment.”

Kentucky and Mississippi State have played in every season since 1984. For such a long series, Starkville is one of the few remaining bugaboos for this era of the Wildcat’s program.

UK has traveled to Starkville six times since 2010 and lost all six by an average of over 17 points. Stoops is 0-5 as part of that stretch, including a 31-17 loss in the team’s last trip there in 2021.

That’s nothing new when you look through the lens of the all-time series, though. In the 50 games between Kentucky and Mississippi State, UK has won just six games in 21 tries in Starkville.

The last time that the Wildcats won inside David Wade Stadium was in 2008 in a one-point win. It was their second straight win there as they also won by three in 2006.

Again, a road game is a challenge no matter what way you slice it. That’s why Stoops is preparing his team the best way they can to rewrite some history against the maroon & white come kickoff on Saturday night.

“We’ll have our hands full but that’s what you have to prepare for,” said Stoops.

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State odds: Early point spread released on Wildcats vs. Bulldogs

Kentucky and Mississippi State will do battle in Starkville in a game that both clubs desperately need to win. With both clubs coming off divisional losses this past weekend — Kentucky to Tennessee, Mississippi State to Auburn — there ought to be a sense of urgency when those cowbells are ringing under the lights at Davis Wade Stadium.

As for the spread, FanDuel has just released the opening line and over/under for this annual matchup.

According to FanDuel, Kentucky opens as a 3.5-point favorite over Mississippi State. Meanwhile, the over/under for the contest is 45.5 points.

With the series tied 25-25 all-time and both teams needing a win to revive their seasons, the stakes are quite big for this edition of Kentucky vs. Mississippi State.