The Kentucky Wildcats have presented a physical challenge for Woody Marks and the Mississippi State football program in recent seasons.
Mississippi State football is pretty fortunate to have a running back as experienced as Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks. The Bulldogs are breaking in a brand new offense and are being led by a new head coach. And in the SEC, even other middle class programs can provide a tough challenge.
Such as the Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky, a program that often is a mirror reflection of Mississippi State in many ways, has provided a pretty tough challenge for Marks, the Bulldogs, and specifically MSU’s offense in recent seasons.
When, at SEC Media Days, Marks was presented with a question about how the Wildcats have challenged State in recent matchups, Mississippi State’s star running back was pretty complimentary to Kentucky’s defense.
Marks reflected on the challenges Kentucky’s defense presents each year, noting the way Kentucky’s defense plays.
“Three years I played Kentucky, they always have a good defense,” Marks explained, according to ASAP Sports. “Their D-line is pretty good every year. They have great linebackers coming out of there.”
He’s not wrong.
Mississippi State football: Woody Marks reflects on history vs. Kentucky Wildcats, compliments Kentucky’s defense
Kentucky’s defense found several ways to provide stumbling blocks to Mike Leach’s offense. Road trips to Lexington have been nothing but disasters during recent meetings with the Wildcats. And as of right now, the series is split.
Truly split.
It’s a dead even at tie at 25-25 since these two teams first met. With conference realignment coming, changes to the Bulldogs’ scheduling are coming as well. And that means fewer chances to meet up with Kentucky.
That may not be all that bad, though.
The Bulldogs had a nice seven-game winning streak from 2009 to 2015, but the Wildcats have won four of the last seven matchups. Kentucky defeated Mississippi State 27-17 last season.
“It’s just a back and forth, so we’re just looking at who is going to take the lead right now,” Marks commented, looking back on the recent meetings between the two teams.
Here’s to hoping that MSU can find a way to beat Kentucky before conference realignment impacts the way the SEC schedules things going forward. It’d be nice to get the last laugh if this series takes a bit of a pause.