The Wildcats need to win. Talk has shifted from winning the SEC East to getting into the best bowl game we possibly can. And for that to happen, the Wildcats must win on Saturday when they play Mississippi State. The good news for this weekend is Derrick Locke is expected to play. The bad news, better than half way through the season the Wildcats are a bit banged up.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Coach Joker Phillips told reporters that he had to run a few routes for the guys during practice. “Randall sat out, Chris sat out, La’Rod sat out and I ran a few routes,” Phillips said. “It is that time of year, the guys are banged up and beat up, but we have some guys that are good at getting mental reps and should be good to go on Saturday.”
Physical play is what will be necessary this weekend. The offensive line will have to actually stop the pressure on Hartline and the defense has to slow down Mississippi’s offensive production.
“When you watch those guys play against Florida they re-established the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball,” Phillips said about Mississippi State’s offensive and defensive linemen. “It will be physical.
“We did not win the physical battle (against Georgia), so that’s a huge goal in this game. (State) re-established the line of scrimmage and ran the ball for four, five or six yards a carry and then the third-and-six’s they had they ran the ball and if they didn’t get it they punted and played great defense. I expect them to try and run that ball, that’s what they do.”
