Kentucky started the season with 4 consecutive wins to move into the top-10 of the AP poll.

The Wildcats, however, have since lost back-to-back games to Ole Miss and South Carolina.

They have another tough test on their hands Saturday, as No. 16 Mississippi State (5-1) visits Lexington.

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops met with the media Wednesday during the weekly SEC coaches teleconference and said that there are goings to be ebbs and flows during each season and the course of building a program.

“I don’t think you ever really feel like you’re where you want to be,” Stoops said. “… Two weeks ago, we played some very good football at times. We were just inconsistent. … You know the volatility of this league and how hard it is. While we have been consistent to some extent, we’re constantly striving to take it to a next level, and that’s a challenge.”

Stoops was also asked Wednesday about the challenge that his defense will face Saturday from Mike Leach’s Air Raid passing attack.

“They’re very good at taking what’s in front of them,” Stoops said. “Finding any weakness in certain areas. Very efficient and definitely know what they want to do. … It is slightly different than other offenses.”

Finally on Wednesday, Stoops was asked for his reaction to Shane Beamer’s comments following South Carolina’s win at Kentucky last Saturday.

“It just makes me go back to being me and being very vanilla,” Stoops said. “… I kinda stay in my lane and keep my head down and do my job. … If I have something to say about Shane Beamer, I’ll say it. I have a lot of respect for him. We have spoken twice. They kicked our butts. If they want to dance around, they should.”

The Wildcats matchup with the Bulldogs on Saturday is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET) and will be televised by the SEC Network.