SEC Power Rankings: Alabama, Missouri and a Mess After

Oct 12, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback

(2) runs the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

14. Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 3-5 (0-3)

Previous Ranking: 14

Last Week: Bye

This Week: at Mississippi State (Thursday night)

Next Week: vs Alabama State

The battle of the winless SEC teams will commence Thursday night on ESPN. It should be better than the New York Giants/Minnesota Vikings Monday Night Football game, however. Man, what a bad week of football for ESPN, eh?

Anyway…

Kentucky is going to go for the win – their best chance for an SEC win – Thursday, and they’ve got a serious shot to pull it off on the road. Mississippi State possesses the second worst defense in SEC play by both points and yards, which should help Kentucky’s struggling offense put enough points on the board to keep it competitive.

What is going to play the biggest role is special teams and turnovers. Kentucky is second in the SEC in kick return average and tied for second (with Kentucky) in turnover margin per game. If Kentucky can take care of the ball, take advantage of MSU weak defense, and lock things down in the kicking game, Kentucky has a real shot to pull off the road win.