5 Things You Need to Know About the Mississippi State Bulldogs

The ‘Cats are fresh off of their bye week and ready to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville. So far, this season is exceeding just about everyone’s expectations. Coming into this game with a 6-1 record and a #12 national ranking has shifted the focus to loftier goals. Winning out, going 11-1, and being in the College Football Playoff conversation are all on the table. However, it begins with a win Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium.

The Bulldogs enter this evening’s game with a 4-3, 2-2 record. The line out in Las Vegas has gone back and forth, but Kentucky hasn’t won in Starkville since 2008. The outcome tonight will tell us a lot about this Wildcat team and set the expectations moving forward.

As always, make sure you have read Adam Luckett’s Scouting Report and Freddie Maggard’s take on what Kentucky must do to beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Let’s dive in to the five things you need to know about tonight’s opponent.

Mike Leach’s Air Raid

When you play the Mississippi State Bulldogs, you know what you are going to get. They are going to pass the ball a bunch, stay ahead of the chains, and methodically move the ball down the field. Last season, Kentucky completely shut the Air Raid down. However, the pieces are much improved this year.

Coach Leach will get the ball outside and loves to utilize the Bulldogs’ running backs in the passing game. They may not run the ball much, but those backs are still getting plenty of touches. Overall, the Bulldogs have 296 passing attempts to just 134 rushes. The ‘Cats must be sound in their coverage and tackle in the open field under the lights at Davis Wade.

Development of QB Will Rogers

After starting the final six games as a true freshman a year ago, Will Rogers is back taking snaps for Coach Leach and Mississippi State. The experience he gained in those six starts is proving worth while this season as the Air Raid is much improved. Rogers has thrown for 18 touchdowns against 7 interceptions and is averaging 364 yards through the air per game.

As opposing defenses drop into coverage to keep the Bulldogs’ offense in front of them, it has given Rogers plenty of time in the pocked and he has proven to be able to find success. He ranks fourth in the SEC in success rate at over 50%. Getting some pressure on the sophomore quarterback will be a major key for Kentucky.

Variety of Pass Catchers for the Bulldogs

Makai Polk, a transfer from California, leads the Mississippi State Bulldogs in targets (88), receptions (58), yards (552), and touchdowns (6). The 6’3″ 200 pound redshirt sophomore is going to be the focal point of the offense and must be contained.

Will Rogers will sling the ball around the field and the Bulldogs have eight other targets with double-figure receptions. Notably, sophomore Jaden Walley leads the group with an average of 11.3 yards per catch and has found the end zone four times. To the extent that the Bulldogs have an explosive threat, Walley is definitely it. However, the next two leading pass catchers behind Polk are running backs Jo’quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson with 49 and 38 receptions respectively. As we said earlier, this offense loves to check down to the backs on the outside.

The ball is going to be spread around the field as Leach and Rogers try to stretch the Kentucky defense sideline to sideline. Getting the offense behind the chains on occasion will really take them out of what they want to do.

Bulldogs 3-3-5 Stack Defense

Now, I’m not a football guy, but I have read Adam Luckett and Freddie Maggard talk about the Bulldogs defense. The additional safety in their base defense allows them to be stout against the run, which matches up pretty well with trying to slow down Chris Rodriguez and company. The Bulldogs defense is fourth in the Southeastern Conference in yards per rush at 3.4.

Fred Peters is the guy to watch coming down from the secondary. He has 42 tackles and a pair of interceptions on the season. Peters is a ballhawk that the Wildcats must take into consideration every time they run an offensive play. There is a lot of movement and uniqueness to this defense, but they have been excellent against the run, on third down, and in the red zone. Those are all areas were Kentucky typically has an advantage. Keep an eye on those stats tonight.

Highlight-Reel Kick Returner

It is no secret that special teams have not been kind to the Kentucky Wildcats this season. Four blocked kicks haven’t really cost the team yet, but down the stretch in these final five games the third phase could be the difference. Against Mississippi State, the ‘Cats must be ready Lideatrick Griffin. He has had multiple big returns in the kicking game including taking the opening kickoff to the house against NC State. Kentucky can’t afford to give up an explosive play in the return game.