Kentucky Football: Five Keys To Defeating Mississippi State

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Sep 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Fred Ross (8) races away from Massachusetts Minutemen safety Khary Bailey-Smith (21) during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mississippi State won 47-35. Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Contain Fred Ross

Though he’s often overlooked, Fred Ross is one of the best wide receivers in the SEC. He recorded upwards of 1,000 receiving yards yards and five touchdowns in 2015 and is well on his way to an even better season in 2016.

If the Kentucky Wildcats are going to win this game, then Ross must be contained.

Through six games, Ross has recorded 34 receptions for 386 yards and five touchdowns. That puts him on pace for 68 receptions, 772 yards, and 10 touchdowns over a 12-game span—reason enough to believe he can hurt Kentucky.

This is the perfect opportunity for Chris Westry and Derrick Baity to firmly establish themselves as shutdown corners.

Ross has a combination of size, speed, and strength that will open doors to an NFL career. Westry is a 6’4″ sophomore with elite upside, however, and Baity is a 6’3″ bump and run specialist—a potentially dominant combination.

If the Kentucky football team successfully contains Fred Ross, then it can contain Mississippi State’s passing attack.

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