Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Football: Be Wary Of Southern Miss' Special Teams

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have one of the most dynamic special teams in the country. The Kentucky football team should be wary.

The Kentucky football team is starting the 2016 season with a very legitimate test. Led by senior quarterback Nick Mullens and junior running back Ito Smith, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles are one of the most explosive teams in the country.

Though Southern Miss’ offense is garnering well-deserved respect from the Kentucky football program, it’s the special teams that could swing momentum.

Southern Miss is known to be experimental and open to taking risks on special teams. Merely calling it creative wouldn’t be doing it justice.

Jason Munz of The Hattiesburg American recently spoke with Jon Hale of The Lexington Courier-Journal about Southern Miss’ experimental group.

“More of the same. [Todd] Monken had no issues rolling the dice a little more often than probably most head coaches. But based on what I know about [Jay] Hopson and special teams coordinator, [John] Wozniak, that shouldn’t change much.”

Kentucky better be prepared for the unpredictable on special teams.

Southern Miss has an explosive enough offense to put up points without much help from its special teams. Between fake punts and field goals, and inventive approaches to kick returns, field position is often a strength for the Golden Eagles.

Kentucky has a young and hungry defense that’s ready to prove itself, but it cannot face distinct disadvantages against this talented of an offense.

Chris Westry and Derrick Baity will lead a secondary that will have its hands full with Mullens. Denzil Ware, Courtney Love, and company will be tasked with containing Smith.

If the special teams can’t alleviate some of the defensive pressure, it could be a long day in Lexington.

This is an excellent test for a Kentucky football team with significant upside and bowl game dreams.