Joe Moorhead admits there will be ‘an emotional component’ attached to his team facing Dan Mullen

Under the current scheduling format, Florida visits Mississippi State just once every 14 years. But the timing was right for the Gators and Bulldogs to meet in Starkville this fall.

This Saturday’s meeting will be the first trip back to Mississippi State for new Florida coach Dan Mullen, who coached the Bulldogs for nine years. Although his departure was mostly amicable, the expectation is there will be a little extra buzz in the crowd at Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday.

First-year Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead spoke about that emotion Friday with ESPN personality Paul Finebaum.

“We talked to our guys about there being an emotional component attached to this game, particularly (for) the older guys, who were recruited by and played for coach (Dan Mullen) and his staff,” Moorhead said to Finebaum. “Ultimately, we just can’t let that effect our performance on the field. When the ball is kicked off, it will be 11 Mississippi State players against 11 Florida players.”

Both teams enter this week at 3-1 and each squad has lost to Kentucky. Mississippi State fell last week on the road to the Wildcats while Florida suffered a home defeat to Kentucky in Week 2.

As much as some Mississippi State players may want some revenge, the Bulldogs should be much more focused on avoiding an 0-2 SEC start.

Dave Holcomb

Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.