The 6-1 Kentucky Wildcats return to the field this weekend against the 4-3
Bulldogs of Mississippi State. This will be the first game since the Cats lost to the number 1
ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Their off week should have been a time for the team to get some rest,
fix the small issues, and recuperate their minds following the tough loss. The Cats did move up
to 12th on the new AP poll this week due to some losses ahead of them during their off week.
Mississippi State has looked better as the season has moved along, so this will be no easy task
for Kentucky down in Starkville.
Mississippi State has had some quality games this season. Their shining moment was
taking out Texas A&M at College Station and a early season win against a quality North
Carolina State team who is one of the ACC’s top teams this year. The Bulldogs have been inconsistent this year with losses to LSU and Memphis. Mike Leach has a history with
the Cats, so he will be ready for a tough match-up with Kentucky. Their star of the season
is Will Rogers in the Bulldog’s air raid type offense. Rogers has passed for 2,546 yards, 18
touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He has a great arm on him, but the Kentucky defense may be a
little too much for him in this game.
The key to the game for Kentucky will be to not come out flat. Hopefully, losing to Georgia
did not delate the team mentally. Georgia is the best team in the nation, so the Cats have nothing to hang their heads about. The Cats must focus on each game the rest of the season and win-out if they
want the potential of a New Year’s Six bowl game this year. With Mississippi State, Tennessee,
Vanderbilt, New Mexico State, and Louisville as the remaining schedule, Kentucky could have
one of its greatest seasons of all time. If the team stays attentive to the task ahead, this team will
do big things and go far this year. The defense must stop the pass game against the Bulldogs if
they want to win. The offense just has to control the clock and put consistent drives together to do its
part, but our secondary must have a huge game for a win.
This will be no easy task. This game is arguably our toughest one left on the schedule.
Mississippi State will have guns blazing in this game, but Kentucky will come out stronger I do
believe. I think the Cats will pull off a win over the Bulldogs, 31-17. This will be a great bounce
back game for Kentucky to keep their tremendous season going. For offense, look for Chris
Rodriguez Jr. to have a monster bounce back game. On the defensive side, the player to watch
for me will be Carrington Valentine. GO CATS
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Devin Hall is a columnist for MESPORTS digital. A University Louisville graduate who loves good music, good games and good times. He can be reached at DHall@maineventsports101.com. Follow him on Twitter @Mista_Hall25