Get To Know Mississippi State

Kentucky and Mississippi State will kick off for the 24th time since 1990 in a couple of days and the Wildcats are desperate for a win after the most difficult four-game stretch in school history. We're all very familiar with the Bulldogs, UK's permanent cross-division rival, but let's review what we know so we're fully prepared Thursday night.   MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY Once known as The Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi, Mississippi State University is the second largest university in the state with an enrollment of just over 20,000 miserable students. MSU was ranked No. 18 nationally in Forbes magazine's "America's Best College Buys" in 2009 and first in agricultural schools within the Southeastern Conference.  Mississippi State was also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best universities in the United States for Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. LOCATION: Starkville, Mississippi Mississippi State University is located in Starkville, the most appropriately named town in the United States.  If you've been to Starkville, you know what I mean. If you haven't been to Starkville, keep it that way.  Trust me.  I made the drive down for the 2008 game and I'll never get that weekend back. It was terrible. NOTABLE ALUMNI John Grisham -- Author of several popular novels including The Firm, A Time to Kill, and The Pelican Brief.  Toxey Haas -- Founder and CEO of Haas Outdoors, Inc., Mossy Oak's parent company. Many of you use Mossy Oak products when you're hunting coyotes at night with your Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife hunting license. Buck Showalter -- Manager of the Balitmore Orioles. Baseball is terrible. CHEERLEADER SCOUTING REPORT Butterface is back! (Sorry.) THE COWBELLS Loud, obnoxious cowbells have been a big part of Mississippi State football for roughly 75 years. The origin of the cowbells is unknown, but the most popular legend is that a cow wandered onto the field during a game between State and Ole Miss, a blowout win for the Bulldogs, so fans began bringing bells to call the cow back for good luck. When cows wander onto the Davis Wade Stadium field today, they're known as the Mississippi State dance team. LAST TIME OUT: Mississippi State 27, Kentucky 14 (Lexington, KY) The 20th-ranked Bulldogs won a fourth consecutive game over Kentucky, 27-14. State held UK to just 228 yards while totaling 427 of its own, led by running back LaDarius Perkins. Jalen Whitlow finished 10-of-21 passing for 73 yards with 26 rushing yards on eight carries. Patrick Towles threw five completions for 71 yards and a touchdown in his debut. HEAD COACH: Dan Mullen Mullen is in his fifth season at Mississippi State, where he holds a 32-25 overall record and has led the Bulldogs to three straight bowl appearances. Prior to moving to Shitville, I mean Starkville, he coached under Urban Meyer at Utah and Florida. He was the Gators offensive coordinator when Tim Tebow was doing Tim Tebow things all over Kentucky and the rest of the SEC. Mullen is undefeated against the Wildcats, so there's that. KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH #15 Dak Prescott, QB (63-116, 890 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs; 457 rushing yards, 8 TDs) Prescott is a dual-threat quarterback who UK defensive coordinator DJ Eliots called the engine that runs Mississippi State's offense. He leads the Bulldogs in rushing yards and touchdowns. Dak is short for Dakoat, FYI. #50, Benardrick McKinney LB (36 tackles) Sophomore linebacker Benardrick McKinney leads State in tackles through six games this season. The preseason All-SEC selection was one of Bruce Feldman's "20 craziest athletes in college football." McKinney can do 30 pull-ups, which is about 19 and a half more than I can do. PREDICTION I've been optimistic with my predictions all season and I'm not looking to change now. I think the Wildcats escape Starkville with a win and hopefully no diseases. JoJo Kemp is the MVP with two rushing scores. Cats.