3 Mississippi State players to watch against Kentucky

Kentucky is hitting the road this weekend for the first time in nearly a month. Hovering over the Wildcats is a three-game losing streak to ranked opponents. Only four games are left in the regular season, and time is running out for the Wildcats. Up next is a game in a venue that has not treated this program well.

Davis-Wade Stadium has been a house of horrors for Kentucky under Mark Stoops. The Wildcats cannot allow it to be a house of horrors on Saturday night in Starkville. Mississippi State is reeling in year one under Zach Arnett. The Bulldogs scored more than 24 points against a power conference foe just once this season, and the defense has given up at least 24 points in every power conference game but one.

Another big moment of the 2023 season has arrived, and Kentucky is laying just north of a field goal. Most of the attention this week will be around Devin Leary and the Kentucky passing game, but the team on the other sideline is also worth paying attention to.

Let’s take a closer look at the Bulldogs you need to know about heading into the first weekend of November.

All-SEC linebacker

Mississippi State does not have much going right for them this season. With two new coordinators, there has been a significant drop-off on both offense and defense. The injury bug has had a huge impact on the offense over the last two weeks. However, this team has gotten one constant throughout the season.

The linebacker play has been excellent.

Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson are one of the best off-ball linebacker duos in college football. The latter is the best player on Mississippi State’s roster.

Watson leads the defense in tackles (84), tackles for loss (9.5), and pressures (24). The super senior has recorded double-digit tackles in four games this season and has never had less than eight tackles. Watson and Johnson are both on a 120-tackle pace. In last year’s meeting, Watson collected a career-high 17 tackles against Kentucky.

Last week, Kentucky struggled to run the football against a good Tennessee front. A top goal for Zach Arnett’s gap-cancellation defense will be to stop the run. If Ray Davis cannot get rolling for the second week in a row, Watson is probably the top reason why.

The 245-pound linebacker has a strong missed tackle rate (3.0%) and is very active in State’s pass rush plan.

Clear WR1

Four-year starter Will Rogers has missed the last two games. We do not know the availability status of the quarterback who set records in Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. When on the field in Kevin Barbay‘s offense, Rogers has had some struggles.

Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright has started the last two games at quarterback for the Bulldogs, and the passing production has slipped. Mississippi State ranks sub-80 in just about every meaningful passing metric. Throwing the football has been an issue this season. In their two wins against power conference competition, Mississippi State had a total of 33 dropbacks.

The passing game is holding the offense back. Injuries to Rogers and tailback Jo’Quavious Marks certainly aren’t making things easier for Barbay. However, this offense does have a dangerous weapon on the perimeter.

Lideatrick Griffin leads the Bulldogs in every receiving statistic. The senior is also a dangerous return man (career 32.2 yards per kickoff return average with two touchdowns). State has also gotten Griffin involved in the running game. In the offense’s biggest explosion this season, the wideout went 256 yards on seven grabs against South Carolina.

Mississippi State struggles to get cooking on offense unless Griffin is creating explosives. Slowing the receiver and returner will be critical for Kentucky on Saturday night.

Playmaking safety

Playing one of the traditional safety positions in Zach Arentt’s 3-3-5 defense, Shawn Preston Jr. is having a career year. The super senior from Louisiana is stuffing the stat sheet.

Preston has recorded 41 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a team-high three interceptions, and two forced fumbles. For a defense that ranks 11th in the SEC in havoc rate, this playmaking has been much-needed.

The safety was a notable factor in power conference wins over Arizona and Arkansas recording three tackles for loss, an interception, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Forcing takeaways has been an issue for this defense. When takeaways are created, Preston is often in the middle of it.

Kentucky must be away of the playmaking safety that has made huge strides in year four with Arnett.