Despite being in his first year as Mississippi State’s coach, Joe Moorhead has already gotten a taste of how tough the SEC can be.
Moorhead touched on the subject during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference while previewing the Bulldogs’ upcoming trip to No. 5 LSU. Though he already had an idea of the SEC’s rugged schedule, Moorhead said his time working as offensive coordinator at Penn State under former Vanderbilt coach James Franklin helped prepare him for it.
“I think it’s been as advertised,” Moorhead said. “I was aware of the SEC reputation, (had) spoken to James Franklin about it. It’s a line-of-scrimmage league. The margin of error is small. The parity is impressive. If you don’t come prepared, you will get beat.”
Mississippi State has experienced plenty in the first half of the season — back-to-back losses against No. 14 Kentucky and No. 11 Florida before an upset win against then-No. 8 Auburn. Now, after a bye week, the No. 22 Bulldogs (4-2, 1-2 SEC) face their toughest challenge when they travel to Baton Rouge to face the Tigers (6-1, 3-1) at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Here’s what Moorhead said Wednesday to preview the matchup.
On playing at LSU:
- I have not been, but I have been in similar environments, like the White Out at Penn State. … It will be unique.
On LSU QB Joe Burrow and his development:
- I know his dad, an assistant at Ohio U. I studied him at Ohio State. … He’s done well, especially running the ball. … You can tell he’s a coach’s son.
On LSU DB Grant Delpit:
- I’ve seen he’s been named All-American by some outlet. The speed the physicality on that defense — Devin White I’ve seen as the No. 1 prospect on defense in the NFL draft.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
