(Vicky Graff Photo)
By Jordan Abrams, Contributing Writer
The Kentucky Wildcats football team is back in action this weekend before they can take a short rest during their bye week. The Wildcats are coming off of two losses, one a hard-fought defeat at Ole Miss that was followed by a bad loss to an average South Carolina team. Kentucky did not look great in against South Carolina, but it did not help that quarterback Will Levis was unavailable against the Gamecocks.
This Saturday the Wildcats will face off against head coach Mike Leach and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs opened up as a 6.5-point favorite over the Wildcats but that line has since dropped, as the Wildcats are now only a 4-point underdog after word of Levis being healthy and able to play again. Mississippi State has one of the best offenses in college football and Kentucky has one of the nation’s top defenses. Saturday should be an exciting game, but first here are the keys to the game for Kentucky.
1. Put Pressure on Will Rogers
Bulldogs quarterback Will Rogers has exploded through the first half of the season. He has passed for over 2,100 yards to go along with 22 passing touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Leach runs the true Air Raid, which most people are familiar with from his time with Hal Mumme at UK in the 1990s. Rogers has been one of the most consistent QBs in the Southeastern Conference this season and he is primed to finish the second half of the season on a high note. So, Kentucky needs to put pressure on Rogers and make him beat them with his legs, force him to make a decision quickly or be inaccurate. Rogers has only had one bad game this season and that was against LSU. Why did he struggle? LSU has been the only team that has put pressure on Rogers. If Kentucky can make him uncomfortable in the pocket, Kentucky has a great chance at winning. If Kentucky gives Rogers extra time in the pocket, the Wildcats could lose Big.
2. Score Points in the Red Zone
Kentucky has struggled this season in the red zone and that may be an understatement. Kicker Matt Ruffalo has missed field goal tries, the field goal unit has seen several bad snaps and the offense in general has had some crucial turnovers. Kentucky has not been able to convert when they get close and that is pretty much what sums up their flaws as of late. The Wildcats have been one of the worst teams in college football at red zone efficiency with only a 78% success rate. Kentucky will need to score a lot of points in Saturday’s game to win, so they need to capitalize on every opportunity they get. If Kentucky can have 100% red zone efficiency in this game, the Wildcats will have another great chance of winning.
3. Limit Big Plays
This Kentucky defense has been great this season at containing big plays. Or at least until last Saturday’s second half. Last weekend the Wildcats gave up several big plays to South Carolina and that can’t happen this weekend against one of the best offenses in the country. Mississippi State does a great job of dinking and dunking before connecting on a deep pass for a big play. The Bulldogs have an absolute a stud at wide receiver in Rara Thomas. He has averaged nearly 18 yards-per-catch this season and has four catches of 25+ yards. Carrington Valentine and the other defensive backs for this Kentucky defense will have their hands full against a lethal passing offense.
4. Control the Line of Scrimmage
This feels like Déjà vu. Kentucky has struggled this season on the offensive line, but as of late the Big Blue Wall is starting to improve. Running back Chris Rodriguez looked like his old-self last weekend and that helped this offensive line get back to being what it used to be. On the other hand, Kentucky’s defensive line needs to be great this weekend. They did not do a great job against South Carolina, but they are arguably the best unit of this veteran defense. Mississippi State has a talented running back, Dillon Johnson, who has been incredible carrying the football for the Bulldogs this season. Johnson has averaged six yards-per-carry and has rushed for over 400 yards on the year. When people hear Mississippi State and Mike Leach, they might think they can only pass the ball. But this team is different. The Bulldogs are very good at all aspects of offense and if Kentucky can’t stop Johnson from making big plays, this could be a long day for the Kentucky defense.
5. Play With Pride
Kentucky did not have much juice last weekend against South Carolina, especially in the second half. Maybe it was because Levis was out or maybe they just didn’t take the Gamecocks seriously. Regardless of the reason, it was bad. If Kentucky plays slow like they did last weekend, Saturday’s game could be a blowout. The Wildcats need to play with heart and you have to be certain that Levis will make sure that happens.
Many expect Kentucky to be better this weekend and by a lot. Levis is scheduled to start and Kentucky has won seven out of the last eight after being beat as a favorite the previous week. Also, the home team has won the previous 8 games in this series. If Kentucky plays well, wins the line of scrimmage and manages to put up points, the Wildcats will win this game.
I wrote this article in the Bahamas while I am on a cruise shop and I am pumped to watch the Wildcats take down the Bulldogs in the Sports Bar down stairs.
Prediction: Kentucky 35, Mississippi State 31
