Mississippi State will look for a chance to rebound in the comforts of its own stadium.
After a frustrating 28-7 loss at Kentucky last weekend, the No. 23 Bulldogs (3-1, 0-1 SEC) will host Florida (3-1, 1-1) at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday. Adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup is the return of Gators coach Dan Mullen, who was the head man at Mississippi State for the last nine years.
That was a big point of discussion during Bulldogs coach Joe Moorhead’s portion of Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, which he opened with a succinct recap of his team’s loss to Kentucky:
- We’re upset and disappointed with our game against Kentucky. We watched the tape and made corrections, and now it’s on to the next one.
On injuries:
- I think two things, his understand of the scheme and the practice habits from Stephen
Do you feel any extra pressure this week?
- Not necessarily, it’s our first SEC game at home. …. We are competing against the standard, not the opponent. The rest of that is out there but won’t have any bearing on the game come game time.
On his players knowing about Florida’s coaching staff, do you have an idea of what they will be facing?
- Certainly, the film we are watching on Florida helps as we have an understanding of what they are doing.
What about Dan Mullen’s knowledge of your roster?
- I don’t think there’s an edge one way or another. … I think it’s an interesting game, I think there are positives and negatives to both sides and I think it will be a great game.
How many players helped with the gameplan?
- They are not in the facility on Monday and that’s the day we come up with the gameplans.
How has the team responded to the loss?
- On Sunday, we shook off the emotion of the Kentucky loss and we went on to Florida. … On Tuesday, there was physicality, energy, urgency. … They are excited about the upcoming game.
On playing at a small school, does that help you when you are coming up in your coaching career?
- I think there are excellent coaches at all levels. When you see a coach pay his dues … what it makes you do when you sit in the office at Mississippi State … it really makes you appreciate what you have and being a coach in the toughest division in football.
Does that path make you hungrier?
- I wouldn’t necessarily say that. … But whatever level you are at, you want to be the best. I think it’s just something where I walk into this building and thank God for being in this position every day.
Thoughts on the Ohio State-Penn State game?
- To be honest, I keep an eye on every program I coached or played at. … It’s been a huge factor in my development. … Not being a part of that, you aren’t quite sure until you come out for that game, it’s different. … It’s special.
Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
