The Mississippi State Bulldogs will face the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in what is a likely must-win if the Bulldogs want to have a chance to make a bowl game.
The Wildcats are currently 5-3 (1-3 SEC). Last week, they were thrashed by Florida 63-5.
“It’s a big ballgame for us this week,” MSU head coach Sylvester Croom said. “I think it’s a critical juncture for us and for Kentucky at this point in the season. Last year, our win up there propelled us into a bowl game.”
According to Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks, true freshman Randall Cobb will start at quarterback for the Wildcats. Cobb, who has also been used as a receiver this season, has completed 18 of 33 passes in four games as quarterback for 214 yards and a touchdown.
“We’ve been starting slow the last several weeks,” Brooks said. “When [Cobb] is inserted, we at least seem to be able to move the ball, and I think he gives the defense a little more problem with his feet and ability to improvise.”
“We just think [Cobb] can give us a little spark and a little more diversity in what we’re able to do on
offense,” Brooks said.
Croom said he sees Cobb as a real threat.
“[Cobb]’s a very good athlete. He throws the ball well,” Croom said. “His ability to pull the ball down and run is extremely scary.”
Brooks added that sophomore Mike Hartline, who has completed 139 of 256 passes for 1,298 yards and eight touchdowns but has also thrown seven interceptions, will also play some snaps at quarterback.
The Wildcats have managed to put together the SEC’s eighth-best offense without having any star players who rank high on SEC offensive stats list. The Wildcats have been hit hard by injuries this season, with top rusher Derrick Locke and top receiver Dicky Lyons both out for the season with injuries.
Kentucky’s top remaining running back is sophomore Moncell Allen, who has rushed 33 times for 198 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats’ top remaining receiver other than Cobb is junior tight end TC Drake, who has caught nine passes for 158 yards.
Kentucky’s defense is average in the SEC, giving up 302.6 yards per game. Croom, however, described itsdefensive line, which includes last year’s Second Team All-SEC defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, as one of the biggest the Bulldogs have faced.
Brooks said the Wildcats can’t afford to lose this game. With Georgia, Vanderbilt and Tennessee remaining on the schedule, the Wildcats could end up with a losing record if they cannot beat the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will be helped by sophomore center JC Brignone, who was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after playing every snap of last week’s game against Middle Tennessee State. His blocking helped the Bulldogs gain 169 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in the 31-22 win.
“JC Brignone had one of his better games,” Croom said. “He’s continued to make progress, and has still got a lot of room for improvement.”
Croom sees this game as the opportunity to turn the season around and end on a good note.
“One of the big things we emphasize is that it’s down to the end now,” Croom said. “One of the things we’ve always taken pride in is we’ve finished things strong. It’s important we finish this season strong, still taking one at a time.”