Following a demoralizing 27-13 loss last week at Auburn, Mississippi State is back home Saturday as the Bulldogs welcome Kentucky to Davis Wade Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on SEC Network.

The Wildcats won their first five games but have now lost three straight during a daunting stretch featuring Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee. Kentucky’s offense looked good against the Volunteers, but the defense gave up more than 250 rushing yards in a 33-27 loss.

What: Kentucky at Mississippi State

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville

TV: SEC Network

Betting line: Kentucky by 3.5

Weather: Clear skies with a high of 75 degrees and a low of 39 with winds out of the south-southeast at 5 miles per hour, per AccuWeather

Records/rankings: MSU is 4-4 and 1-4 in Southeastern Conference play. The Wildcats are 5-3 and 2-3 in the SEC. Neither team is ranked in any of the polls, though Kentucky is receiving one vote in the AFCA Coaches Poll.

Series history: The all-time series is tied, 25-25. In recent years, both teams have dominated at home, with the Bulldogs’ last win in Lexington coming in 2014 and the Wildcats’ last win in Starkville coming in 2008. MSU won seven straight against Kentucky from 2009-2015.

Mississippi State update: The Bulldogs’ defense held Arkansas to just 200 yards in their lone SEC victory, but took a big step back against Auburn, as the worst passing offense in the conference well exceeded its season average by halftime. Mike Wright made his second-straight start at quarterback and was inconsistent, completing 16 of 32 passes for 161 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

MSU was also without leading rusher Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks, who has battled leg injuries for more than a month now. Junior college transfer Jeffery Pittman and freshman Seth Davis filled in admirably in the running game, and sophomore Zavion Thomas had easily his best game as a Bulldog.

Kentucky update: Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary, a transfer from North Carolina State, turned in his best performance of the season against Tennessee last week, completing 28 of 39 passes for 372 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. But Kentucky’s offense still flows through running back Ray Davis, the SEC’s leading rusher who is also a threat catching passes out of the backfield.

The Wildcats are in the bottom half of the conference in both total defense and scoring defense, but have stars at every level. Defensive tackle Deone Walker was one of the best freshmen in the country last season, linebacker Trevin Wallace had a big game last week, and cornerback Maxwell Hairston leads the SEC with five interceptions.

Kentucky players to watch: QB Devin Leary, RB Ray Davis, DT Deone Walker, LB Trevin Wallace, CB Maxwell Hairston.

Prediction: Nothing about Mississippi State’s performance last week inspired any confidence that the Bulldogs can grab another conference win, even on Homecoming. The Wildcats pick up that elusive win in Starkville. Kentucky 27, Mississippi State 17.