Saturday Selections: SEC Football Picks Against the Spread

Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) passing against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State defeated Auburn 38-23. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Mississippi State (-14.5) at Kentucky, 2:30 PM CT, CBS

Speaking of Mississippi State, the Bulldogs will be on the road in Lexington, playing as the nation’s top ranked team for the first time in school history. Everyone in Starkville has surely been patting the players on the back for the last two weeks since the win over Auburn and telling them how good they are.

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On the other hand, Kentucky had been riding high for a month and travelled to Death Valley with an opportunity to become bowl eligible. Instead, the Wildcats made a lot of early mistakes, fell behind quickly, and were never able to regain their composure before falling 41-3 to LSU in embarrassing fashion.

Because of the nature of their most recent performances, this is a statement game for both teams. MSU aims to prove themselves worthy of their No. 1 ranking, while Kentucky wants to show their 5-1 start to the season was no fluke. Because the game is in Lexington, and UK should be extremely motivated, this has the makings of a trap game. State will win, but the home underdog will keep it close until the fourth quarter.

Mississippi State 35, Kentucky 24