Mississippi State football: Overlook Kentucky? No way. These Bulldogs were once just like the Wildcats: hungry, unheralded, dangerous
The undefeated, No. 14-ranked Mississippi Bulldogs begin conference play this week as they head on the road to take on another undefeated squad: Kentucky.
For many fans, pundits and prognosticators, it’ll be easy to scoff at this matchup as “it’s just Kentucky.” Remember, the game is being played on synthetic grass and not hardwood, much to the chagrin of the Wildcats’ faithful, and Kentucky has never been one to fear on the gridiron. Right?
Well, this isn’t a Kentucky team to overlook, and Mississippi State knows that.
Not only do they know that because of what they’ve seen of the Wildcats on film, but because they know what it’s like to be in their shoes. After all, how long was Mississippi State the team that was constantly overlooked and looked down upon? Over how many years did teams like Alabama, Auburn and LSU scoff when they saw the Bulldogs on their schedule for the upcoming week? Nowadays, it’s a different story.
Nowadays, you can’t automatically mark off Kentucky week with a “W,” either. Ask Florida. The Gators went into Kentucky week assuming it would be an easy win. Just like it had been practically every year since 1986. They went into it cocky, arrogant and entitled, the hallmark traits of both weakness and strength carried by their head coach, Dan Mullen. The Wildcats walked out of The Swamp with a 27-16 victory, ending the Gators’ 31-game winning streak in the series.
No, the Bulldogs know better than to make the same mistake their former boss made. The Bulldogs know this should be their strongest opponent yet, and it’ll be a good test of where they really stand heading into the meat of their schedule.
If anything, the Wildcats appear to be a poor man’s version of Mississippi State – strong defense, powerful rushing attack and inconsistent but opportunistic passing attack.
The Bulldogs’ front seven will have their hands full with the rushing combo of QB Terry Wilson and RB Benny Snell. Wilson, a former Oregon signee, has given defenses fits while rushing for 223-yards and 2 TDs on 32 attempts (7 yards per carry), while Snell, who garnered first-team All-SEC honors last year while rushing for more than 1,300 yards and 19 TDs, has already racked up 375 yards rushing and 3 TDs on 62 attempts (6 yards per carry). And don’t forget about backup RB Asim Rose, either, who is averaging 8.6 yards per carry and has already found the end zone 3 times.
Snell, never lacking confidence, got the Bulldogs’ attention when asked about running into their imposing front seven. Snell gave them credit, praised their ability and scheme. Then he gave the reporters the sound bite you’ll hear all week.
“I’m going to run on any team,” Snell told reporters. “… This offense don’t fear nobody.”
As a whole, the Wildcats are averaging 282 rushing yards per game with 6.7 per carry. That’s third in the SEC (Mississippi State is first, by the way). That makes for a very interesting matchup with the very talented State front seven, which is giving up just 85 rushing yards per game and 2.5 per carry. Talk about strength on strength.
State will have less concern stopping the Wildcats passing attack, even considering the potential long-term loss of starting CB Jamal Peters. While Wilson has been lethal with his legs, he’s struggled to get into a rhythm passing the ball, throwing for just 392 yards (6.64 yards per attempt) with 2 TDs and 3 INTs. With that said, he has shown signs of improvement the past two weeks and put forth his best effort last week, completing 19-of-25 passes for 163 yards with no TDs and no picks.
The Wildcats use the run game to create passing opportunities, which should sound awfully familiar to State fans. If they can stop the run on first and second down and force them to throw on third downs, they’ll be able to keep the Cats’ offense on the sidelines.
Offensively for the Bulldogs, they’ll face a fast and aggressive Wildcats defense that flies to the ball. They’re tough on the line of scrimmage and they like to bring pressure early and often, especially with OLB Josh Allen, who’s already tallied 2 sacks and 4 TFLs after piling up 7 sacks last year.
Their aggression does open up opportunities to make big plays, though. Nick Fitzgerald will have plenty of room to run when he steps up in the pocket to avoid the blitz, and he’ll have ample opportunity to dump it off to one of the backs on a short pass. There’s also plenty of holes to be found in the intermediate and deep passing game when the Cats bring pressure.
Overall, Kentucky’s defense has been solid so far, allowing just over 300 total yards of offense per game and a very good 15 points per game, but they haven’t faced an offense as powerful as what State will bring to the table, which is averaging 587.7 yards and 50 points per game.
One way or another, this will be a good test for the Bulldogs, which is exactly what they need as they gear up for the toughest part of the schedule. After this week they have Florida, No. 9 Auburn, at No. 6 LSU and home against No. 22 Texas A&M. For them to get through that gauntlet unscathed, they’ll need to be humming on all cylinders, and the game against Kentucky provides them with one more opportunity to clean things up.
The advantage on both sides of the ball should lean toward Mississippi State.
As solid as the Wildcats have looked, they’re simply not as deep or talented as the Bulldogs. Mississippi State has the advantage at QB, WR, OL, DL and DB, and you can make the case it’s a wash at RB and LB. (Snell won’t agree.)
But that doesn’t mean you can overlook a hungry team that’s playing well with home field advantage, because that’s exactly what they feed off. Just like Mississippi State used to when they were the young upstarts looking for respect.
Lexington Police are preparing for the coming invasion of short, fat, white, bald men, smoking cigars and drinking cheap booze.
You got to take a look at that Mississippi fan base and simply smile with pity.
It’s obvious you’re harboring a lot of deep-seeded personal issues, and saying things like that is cathartic for you. Misery truly does love company. No one even said anything disrespectful to you for you to open your trashy mouth. You’re the very trash you describe being in MS. Maybe you should lay off the internet for a while and get your life in order.
Gee, BB. Is he talking about US? I thought maybe some Patriot scouts were coming to town to scout Benny.
Glass houses….
I’m 6’8″ and bald because I shave my head. Plus, I don’t smoke cigars. I do enjoy eating, so you got me there. I would ask if you’re mentally handicapped, but that’d be the very definition of a dumb question. Another keyboard warrior.
I haven’t noticed any of those “short, fat, white, bald men smoking cigars and drinking cheap booze” turning over cars and burning things because they beat an awful Florida team.
Yelp, it is official… you and Paris10 are related.
To all the other SEC fans out there SevenT does not speak for anyone but himself. Most UK fans respect State and how their program has been building over the last several years. I hope you guys can continue to improve and keep pushing Bama and Auburn in the west.
Every game I have been to when we played Mississippi State, I thought their fans showed class. Quite the opposite of the fans from our little brother to the north.
We all have a crazy fan or two in the attic.
While I respect everything said in this article, I respectfully shut down any chance UK has against MSU. I’m not still buzzed from UK’s win over FL. FL didn’t quite provide a marquee matchup this year (despite the history bn the two teams)… and UK barely beat them. The game was closer than the score depicts. I still refuse to believe UK can stand against MSU. In fact, not only will they lose, they’ll never take the lead. It’s just going to be a steady nosedive beginning at kickoff.
I’m nervous about this game. I guess it only goes one or tow ways…
I’m still up in the air about buying tickets.
two*
I think MSU might be the second best team in the SEC and it’ll be a good barometer of where UK is at. I’m a believer, this team is in much better place with top to bottom talent than at any point in my lifetime. I don’t know if they’ll win, but I’d be surprised with a blowout.
I will respectively disagree with you on the Florida game, the score was reflective of the game even if it got there in a backhanded manner. Florida had one possession the last 20 minutes in which they had a chance to tie or take the lead, that came with 30 seconds left. Kentucky outgained them by 100 yards, and 100 of Florida’s yards came on their last full possession where Kentucky was playing bend-but-don’t break and allowing UF to use a ton of time to dink their way down the field. Kentucky was a significantly better team than Florida, although I admittedly am not sure what that means.
Bunker
Could you provide the winning lottery numbers too?
You’ll eat those words Saturday. You’ll also learn on Saturday I know more about football than you do.
You got called out by name by a UGA fan who said you said they were going to suck this year because they lost too much talent from last season.
I literally never said UGA was going to suck this year. I also have no clue how much talent UGA lost. You’re thinking of someone else.
I’m not thinking of someone else and I didn’t make the claim, a UGA fan did.
The only words getting ate are your own buster. Here are they are and Snell even put some salt and pepper on it for you “not only will they lose, they’ll never take the lead. It’s just going to be a steady nosedive beginning at kickoff.”…Be sure to take small bites. I’d hate for you to get Blue in the face.
MSU is the second best team in the SEC? Is that a misprint? Ahead of Georgia, LSU, Auburn and A&M? You might want to rethink that.
I’d put MSU at a solid 3. They have more offensive weapons than LSU, auburn, and def Tamu. Their defense might be too 5 in the nation right now behind sweat and Simmons which are both projected 1st rounders.
That’s completely wrong, UK flatout dominated Florida that game and what saved UF from UK not scoring 40 on UF was the two TOs.
Wow, I don’t know what’s more impressive. UK’s win or how wrong your prediction is.
I’m excited about this game. We finally learn about these two teams, both of which show a lot of promise. But I don’t share BB’s confidence or certainty that MSU is gonna dominate wire to wire.
and yet they are still unheralded.
When you currently have played the demanding schedule the Cats have, 168th in the Sagarin Ratings, having to use a gimmick play to feel comfortable against a Division Two school while only up 3 touchdowns against them, well, I think a win against State would seal coach of the year for ‘our version of Stoops’, a Heisman for Passionate Benny and of course an O’Brien award for Touchdown Terry.
A loss to MSU would mean absolutely nothing.
It’s Kentucky folks!
We beat Florida. Unrated Florida. BUT for the first time in 31 years).
So if we win fantastic. If we lose well, Mid Night Madness is just around the corner.
You sound like you’re fun at parties.
paris10 is a troll. No gimmick play was needed. The coaches were just having fun since the game was already over. Paris10 being his usual troll self, bringing nothing of value into the conversation.
I don’t doubt this could be a tough game for state, but lets look at the facts.
Central Michigan has been beaten by Kansas and Northern Illinois. They are 0-3 and Kentucky didn’t really take over this game until the 4th quarter
Florida is terrible. For some reason, the fact they the broke the losing streak makes this a big win.
Murray State. Kentucky beat them 48-10…..Southern Illinois beat them 49-10. Central Arkansas beat them also.
and MSU has played such juggernauts…
no, but they’ve all been dominant wins and each week they have improved from week 1.
And Ole Miss should start buying hookers again bc this new way obviously isn’t working for yall
Hey, ruff.
Hey armyguy!
Hey, Bulldawgrock!
K-state on the road is never easy. Especially a 11am game.
Kansas State is terrible. Even a bad Vandy team beat them last season.
K state went 8-5 and beat 3 ranked teams and almost upset Oklahoma late last year. Do you ever research anything LSUSMC before you post your nonsense?
I saw the Vandy game. Do you actually watch teams play. They weren’t good last season and are worse this year.
See comment above, reread your post, rethink your post, re-evaluate your life and go to bed. It’s past your bed time lil boy.
It’s always funny when the kids show up here pretending to be adults.
suttree83, let’s look at the facts. The fact is Florida was ranked in the top 25 when Kentucky beat them in Gainesville. Both Central Michigan and Murray State are both bad teams, but Mississippi State has played no one. Stephan Austin….lol (they got blew out by a team I never heard of Incarnate Word?) 7th in a no name conference. bahaha. Next you have Kansas St who barely beat South Dakota. We get to see how good they are when they match up against WVU this weekend. And then you play La-Lafayette who is a decent football team in their conference but nowhere near SEC caliber football. The get to play Alabama in a few weeks and that will be a slaughter. So nice that you could point out who Kentucky played, I thought I flip the coin over so you could see the other side.
I’ve already considered who we’ve played, which you are correct, but they way State beat them is the big difference. Florida probably should have never been in the top 25 to begin with. I don’t think it will be an easy win for State. If they aren’t on their A game it’ll be too close for comfort.
Cats will match up better again the Bulldogs than this writer gives credit. OL for both teams are a push, your front 7 on defense might be slightly better but Cats still has a much better front 7 than in the past. Dogs QB is better but the Cats RB’s are better. Both teams have depth so that’s a push. Beating FL at home is a tough task and much tougher than beating up on SFA, KS St, La-Lafayette. Kroger field will be rocking when the Dogs come to town. FYI paris10 is a troll so take what he says with a grain of salt.
K-State is as good as UF.
Don’t know about the OL’s, but the front 7’s are definitely not a push.
K-State is as good as UF? What planet are you from? K-State hasn’t had a whiff of the top 25 while UF was ranked when Kentucky when into Gainesville.
please be back here Sunday and take your punishment. They say crow tastes like chicken. At least that’s what I’m told. In other words, the Bulldogs are going to beak the brakes off the bluecats.
that should have read “beat the brakes”
rriffe
and if you lose, then your team will get the dog**** beat out them. Before Dan Mullen was your coach, this use to be a give and take series. Talent level at State has definitely improved but don’t underestimate this team. It will come back to bite you. Ask Steve Spurrier. The only ones I see guaranteeing victory are some State fans.
What some of you UK fans aren’t acknowledging is the fact that State is better than last year on both sides of the ball. Yes, UK is improved and playing inspired football but I don’t feel that UK is that much different a team that lost to the Bulldogs last year to the tune of 42 points. Some Uk fans do get it and realize the task before them and know that UK will have to play their best game to come close to matching up on either line. We shall see.
UF gets votes for having a team.
I’m looking forward to seeing what both teams can do on the ground this weekend.
I apologize for all the State fans running their mouths. Not all, not even most, are like that. The simple fact is that this early in the season we have absolutely no idea how good (or bad) either team is. Those saying that Florida is bad are basing it on the fact that Kentucky beat them. With the rest of their opponents, Florida has performed just like State has against lesser opponents. Kentucky has played the tougher schedule. It is hard to argue that Florida isn’t better than anyone State has played and Stephen Austin is worse than anyone Kentucky has played. Anyone claiming to know how this game is going to turn out is expressing an opinion based on personal bias. There is simply not enough data to know what to expect in this game.
^^Agreed. The data just isn’t there to make a bold claim on which team is better. Both teams are mad hungry for respect right now, so this game could be a toss up.
I agree with what ruff said. That sounds like the State fans I am used to talking to. I think this game will be a close one. Its hard to gauge team cohesion until you get on the field and play. One quality win does not make Kentucky a good football team anymore than State beating 3 lesser opponents handily. I think playing a night game at home is going to be an advantage to KY but State team definitely has a lot of talent. My prediction is it comes down to 7 points or less, and can go either way.
Also, when you start apologizing remember, what got this thread started was a comment by a toothless uk fan besmirching in general all MSU fans and people from Mississippi. It’s trash talk and doesn’t need apologizing for.
well, obviously I got my response to ruff in the wrong place.
I don’t need any more data to know that MSU is a better football team on both sides of the ball than they were last year. The eye test will tell you a lot no matter who they are playing. Game 1 and 3 I get it but, going into KState and winning as dominantly as they did says a lot. As for apologizing you don’t have to apologize for me or any other State fan as I’ve not seen one statement that needed apologizing for. Hopefully I will be coming back in here Sunday to deal out some reality for the UK fans and if it goes the other way I certainly will be here to take my medicine.
I have to admit its heart warming to see so many of you worrying about me. AND if it was just the Kentucky coaches having a little fun against Murray State, an instate division two school, leading three touchdowns, I would be surprised to see a few schools left on the schedule run up the score to show the fans they like to have fun also. I imagine the Cats scheduling Centre College in a few years so the Cat coaches can test any new trick plays they can have fun with. Wonder if Georgia might have a trick play or two if they’re up 40 in the third quarter?
Bahahaha…run up the score? They used a 3rd string instate kid who has speed to run a play. Every D1 school plays a few cupcake teams. Spurrier used to run trick plays all the time when he was at Florida. You are such a little troll. Go pick up your basketball and be the one sport fan you know you are.
Gotta love the name calling, classifying of other posters, etc. Maturity abounds here.
Say what you want, let other post their opinion and leave it at that. I haven’t seen any Einsteins on here so I doubt your opinion is going to change any mind sets.
I think one of the critical factors in this game at least from bulldogs perspective is MSU’s depth. We have a strong second/third string rotating in to keep the team fresh. Also Fitz’s passing consistency will be a huge variable. If he is on, MSU could have a strong offensive showing – difficult to defend his running/passing and good rbs. His passing consistency is hardly a given though – still not convinved he’s 60% as yet lol. I just heard today that MSU is second in the country in converting on 3rd down at 61% – I know that was earned vs easier teams but if that continues…keeping drives alive is also huge.
I like the underlying point of this article–that Kentucky is now where MSU was a few years ago. But I strongly doubt that any of the MSU players are going to look at UK and think that they can’t overlook UK simply because MSU used to be where UK is now. If they’re paying attention to UK, it will be because of Benny Snell’s comments (taken in isolation, since that’s how the world operates) or because they’ve been properly coached not to take any opponent for granted. Otherwise, I don’t know why all the MSU players wouldn’t simply look at last year’s result and assume the same result for this year, no extra preparation or effort required.