LEXINGTON — When analyzing film of Mississippi State's defense, multiple candid descriptors came to mind for Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
"Pain in the butt," for one.
"Annoying" is another.
Coen couldn't recall another defense he's faced, in the NFL or college, that runs a similar flavor of the 3-3-5 scheme the Bulldogs utilize.
UK will go up against the Mississippi State defense at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, when the teams square off in Starkville, Mississippi.
"There (have) been other variations of 3-3-5 or 4-2-5 structures that we've seen, but not with the every snap movement and rotation of defenders and who's where," Coen said. "You really can't say, 'Well, (No.) 44 is the Mike linebacker.' He plays out at nickel. He plays at Will (linebacker). He plays all over the place.
"So everything's got to be spotted. You try to give the kids enough information to not overwhelm and not overload them to be able to go out and play."
The every-down challenge the Bulldogs' defense presents unveiled itself during Kentucky's Tuesday practice.
"There was frustration," Coen said. "I said, 'Guys, this is the intent of the defense. That's what it does.' So we have to reset — hard reset — after each snap, and go play the next play to the best of our ability."
The Wildcats' defense has its own problem to prepare for: not knowing which quarterback will start for MSU.
Will Rogers, who ranks among the SEC's all-time leaders in numerous passing categories, is dealing with a shoulder injury. Mike Wright, formerly Vanderbilt's starting signal caller, replaced Rogers last week in Mississippi State's loss to Auburn. Then on Monday, MSU coach Zach Arnett didn't tamp down speculation that freshman Chris Parson potentially could be QB1 come Saturday night.
While the Wildcats are planning for any scenario, they're well aware of Wright's capabilities after he helped the Commodores to a streak-snapping upset at Kroger Field last season.
"He is a type of guy that can hurt you at any given time with his legs, whether it is on schedule with designed quarterback run or reads (or) just pulling it down and scrambling can create plays as well," UK coach Mark Stoops said. "He is a guy you have to keep in the pocket. ... Much like last year and this year, you see signs of down-the-field passing and he can definitely throw the ball. They are building on that."
Here's what you need to know ahead ofKentucky's SEC game at Mississippi State:
Kentucky vs. Mississippi State football pregame notes
- This series is about as evenly matched a rivalry as there is: Each team has beaten the other 25 times, with no ties. The pair is also knotted at 23-all since both became members of the SEC. Kentucky's longest winning streak in the rivalry is eight games; Mississippi State's best run of success is seven straight victories. And the home team has won eight straight meetings dating back to 2015. The one area where the Bulldogs have distanced themselves, though: They've topped the Wildcats six straight times at Davis Wade Stadium. UK's last triumph in Starkville, Mississippi, was a 14-13 win on Nov. 1, 2008.
- For the fourth consecutive game, UK needs just one more win to seal a bowl bid for the eighth season in a row. Doing so would extend what already is the longest run of bowl berths in program history.
- Kentucky running backRay Davisis No. 1 in the SEC in total rushing yards (823), rushing touchdowns (nine) and rushing yards per game (102.9) while he's second in yards per carry (6.48) behind Tennessee's Jaylen Wright (6.99). Davis ranks among the top 15 nationally in all four of those statistical categories. He is also the first player in school history to score at least one TD in each of Kentucky's first eight games to begin a season (per UK's single-game statistics, which date back to the 1940s).
- Wildcats defensive backMaxwell Hairstonhas five interceptions this season, most among SEC players and just one behind Notre Dame's Xavier Watts for the FBS lead.
- The Bulldogs boast the SEC's top two tacklers in 2023: Jett Johnson has 84 takedowns, four ahead of teammate (and fellow linebacker) Nathaniel Watson's 80.
- Mississippi State has a former Kentucky player on its roster: sophom*ore safety Ja'KobiAlbert. A Kentucky native, Albert spent his freshman season at UK in 2022, appearing in 10 games and tallying 3.0 tackles (1.0 for loss). He has yet to play in a game for MSU this fall.
- MSU defensive line coach David Turner had two separate stints on Kentucky's staff. He was the Wildcats' defensive ends coach (under Bill Curry) in 1993 and 1994, then served as the defensive line coach (under Joker Phillips) from 2010 through 2012.
UK vs. Mississippi State football pregame reading
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Last time out:What we learned in Kentucky's six-point home loss to Tennessee
Will Levis:Former UK QB throws first NFL TD — a 47-yarder to DeAndre Hopkins
UK football recruiting:Wildcats land one of program's highest-ranked commits ever in Brian Robinson
Kentucky hoops scouting report:Early look at many new faces on John Calipari's 2023-24 roster
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5 questions for Cats:What UK hoops must solve to ensure 2023-24 season is one to remember
5 games to watch:Can Kentucky basketball return to Final Four in 2023-24?
Kentucky vs. Mississippi State odds
Kentucky is a 3 ½-point road favorite against Mississippi State,according to DraftKings.
WANNA BET?Top Kentucky sportsbooks and sports betting apps reviewed
How to watch Kentucky vs. Mississippi State football game
Who:Kentucky (5-3, 2-3 SEC) at Mississippi State (4-4, 1-4)
When:7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where:Davis Wade Stadium; Starkville, Mississippi
TV:SEC Network
Radio:Tom Leach (play-by-play), Jeff Piecoro (analyst) and Dick Gabriel (sideline) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington and online atUKAthletics.com. The game also will be carried on satellite radio: Sirius (Channel 138), XM (Channel 190) and the SiriusXM app (Channel 961).
Streaming:Authenticated subscribers can access SEC Network via TV-connected devices or by going toWatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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