Kentucky is currently a 19-point favorite according to the Las Vegas statistics. Those stats may not take into consideration just how much the Bulldogs want to beat Kentucky.

When a team gets a shot at an undefeated team at home there is no team that will just roll over.. Mississippi State will use their crowd and the motivation to give the Wildcats their best game.

Kentucky forward Willie Cauley-Stein described it the best in an interview. He said every team they play get "beer muscles" due to their name and ranking. Every player wants to say they were the team that ended their unbeaten season.

Even 12-15 (5-9 in SEC) Mississippi State, have had a less than impressive season thus far. The Bulldogs haven't been blown out by teams for the most part, with 11 of their 15 losses being by 10 points or less. If they were to find themselves in a close game with Kentucky, it might be trouble for Mississippi State.

Mississippi State is coming off of a close loss at home against #18 Arkansas being defeated 65-61. The fight the Bulldogs were able to show against the only other ranked team could bother Kentucky as well. Losing to Arkansas by that much is an achievement in a time where Mississippi State has lost four of their last five games.

Kentucky is still going strong on the undefeated track as they handily defeated Auburn 110-75 on Saturday to move to 27-0 (14-0, SEC). That game marked the most points Kentucky has scored since 2002 and the most by an SEC team this season. Of course, Auburn isn't considered a defensive threat or a threat in general but 110 points is 110 points. It takes a decent offensive night to put up those numbers on any team.

Mississippi State and Kentucky seem to be polar opposites when it comes to how their seasons are going. The Bulldogs haven't had much reason to celebrate considering they've lost to instate rival Mississippi twice for the first time since 1998.

If Mississippi State can pull off a miracle win in Starkville it would cause for massive celebration. These Bulldogs won't care about their record for 40 minutes and will try to give Kentucky every bit of a challenge.

Pat's Picks

Gavin Ware- This was an easy pick because he is the only Bulldog who averages at least 10 points. Ware will be getting the ball all night for Mississippi State to try to take it at the Kentucky bigs in the post. He will likely get fouls drawn and get to the line where he's an above average shooter. If the 'Dogs want to win it'll take more than just an effort from Ware.

Karl-Anthony Towns- Towns will have a field day with the size of Mississippi State. He's developed into Kentucky's best player as of lately and he will continue his reign of terror on the SEC against the big men of Mississippi State.