In the first three games, Mississippi State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop had to rely on film to put together his gameplan, but this week against Kentucky, he can look back on his own personal experience. Shoop told the media that having seen Kentucky’s offense and the playcalling tendencies of Wildcat offfensive coordinator Eddie Gran gives him a better feel of how the Bulldogs can attack.
Speaking with Bulldog defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat, both echoed Shoop’s sentiments that the Wildcat offense, led by running back Benny Snell, will be a challenge to deal with Saturday night in Lexington.
Finally speaking with Bulldog cornerback Maurice Smitherman, you can get an idea of how Mississippi State plans to work around the lower body injury of Jamal Peters, who will be out for at least this game.
Kentucky has been very vocal in its anticipation of taking on Mississippi State’s highly ranked defense, while the Bulldogs tonight seemed quite measured in their words. One can’t help but think Coach Joe Moorhead has cautioned his team against providing the Wildcats with any bulletin board material, and instead allow their play to speak for them. If the Bulldogs can contain Snell and the Wildcat running game, that path to a fourth straight win looks pretty clear.
