Kentucky football is back in business.

The Wildcats have been going in the wrong direction after starting the season 4-0. The Wildcats were humbled by Ole Miss and South Carolina after beating No. 12 Florida earlier in the season.

But that’s not fair, is it? After all, Kentucky was without Will Levis against South Carolina. And with Levis back in the lineup, the Wildcats downed one of the SEC’s hottest teams.

And Levis showed why he was sorely missed against the Gamecocks last week Saturday night. He threw for 230 yards and 1 touchdown in the 27-17 win over the Bulldogs, helping improve Kentucky’s record to 5-2 one the season.

Kentucky’s hopes of winning the SEC are still somewhat alive. Kentucky needs Tennessee’s help in beating Georgia and would also need to down the Bulldogs and Volunteers themselves here in just a few weeks.

Possible, but easier said than done. The Vols and Bulldogs are 2 of the top 3 teams in the country right now, after all.

Yeah, the Wildcats will need plenty of Chris Rodriguez to pull off those upsets. He played well against the Bulldogs, rushing for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns on the evening.

He all but slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter with this 16-yard rushing touchdown. It was the 28th of his career in Lexington.

Oh, and here’s something you don’t see every day: Rahsaan Lewis, son of Ray Lewis, scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Wildcats in the third quarter. Kentucky would never look back and cruise to the victory.

Kentucky fans did have to sweat through it a little bit, though. With just over 8 minutes remaining and the Wildcats driving to put it away, Emmanuel Forbes of Mississippi State picked off Levis and took it the distance.

 Levis has to work on ball security in big moments. His fumble sealed the win for Ole Miss a few weeks ago and his 5th interception on the season let a red-hot Mississippi State team to get its foot in the door when it should have been slammed shut.

No worries in the short term, though. Rodriguez was there to punch in some insurance after Levis put the Wildcats near the goal line the following drive.

He carried about 40 Mississippi State defenders on this run.

Oh, and let’s hope Tashawn Manning can fully recover from this horrific injury.

 With this win, Kentucky has tied the all-time series with Mississippi State at 25 wins apiece. The rivalry has been as balanced as any in college football.

Kentucky looks to keep its momentum up heading into the bye week before facing Tennessee at the end of October. The Wildcats are itching to exorcise some demons in Knoxville this year, having lost 8 of the last 10 to the Volunteers.

Mississippi State, however, has a terrifying obstacle in its way – Alabama fresh off a loss to the Vols. Nick Saban, Bryce Young and Jahmyr Gibbs are going to be unhappy heading back to Bryant-Denny Stadium looking to right the ship.