Mark Stoops and Kentucky are coming off a lackluster game at Mississippi State, but the Wildcats are also turning their attention to Tennessee this week at a sold-out Kroger Field.

Stoops called the visit to Starkville a “brutal” trip at his Monday press conference, and said the Cats were “Obviously very anxious to get back on the field after a very poor performance for us on the road,” Stoops said, and added, “not very pleased with our performance but today is a new day.”

Moving ahead, Stoops said he’s very impressed with Tennessee, which is a much-improved team over last year, and very high-tempo with some wide receivers who make plays and put stress on you. The Cats need to be lined up and be ready to go, and locked in presnap.

“Overall, we have to play a lot better than we did this past Saturday,” Stoops said.

H/T Mark Story and Jeff Drummond.