No. 24 Kentucky and Missouri Aim to Rebound from SEC Losses in East Division Clash

Missouri (5-1, 1-1 SEC) will face off against No. 24 Kentucky (5-1, 2-1) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET in an SEC showdown.

The current line favors Kentucky by 2 1/2 points, according to FanDuel.com Sportsbook.

Kentucky holds a 9-4 lead in the all-time series against Missouri.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Both teams are looking to bounce back from disappointing losses. Kentucky was dominated from the start in a 51-13 defeat against top-ranked Georgia, while Missouri surrendered 14 points in the final three minutes to lose 49-39 to No. 23 LSU. Missouri also aims to avenge last year’s 21-17 loss to Kentucky.

KEY MATCHUP

The matchup to watch will be Missouri quarterback Brady Cook against Kentucky’s secondary. Cook had a strong performance against LSU with 411 passing yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. He currently ranks third in the SEC in passing yards per game with 310.5 and second in touchdown passes with 13. Kentucky’s pass defense has struggled, allowing 257 yards per game, but they have recorded six interceptions, including four by cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Hairston has two interception returns for touchdowns and leads the team in tackles with 41.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Keep an eye on Missouri receiver Luther Burden III, who leads the nation in receiving yards per game with 132.2 and has a total of 793 yards this season. In the LSU loss, Burden had 11 catches for 149 yards. Kentucky’s running back Ray Davis is the SEC’s leading scorer with 72 points. He has rushed for eight touchdowns and is tied for ninth in rushing yards in FBS with 653 yards.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Missouri received 69 votes in the AP Top 25 poll, just missing out on a ranking. Running back Cody Schrader is the SEC’s third-leading rusher with an average of 96.2 yards per game. Kentucky has the second-highest scoring offense in SEC play, but has also allowed the third-most points. The Wildcats have been successful in night games at home, winning 17 of their last 21. Kentucky has also won seven of the past eight meetings against Missouri.