Mississippi State Bulldogs

Will Dan Mullen get fired up for Kentucky?

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

foxsports

The Dan Mullen roller coaster of emotions has gone up and down this year, and his level of intensity has been directly correlated to the team’s play.

The leadership on the 2016 MSU football team is not where it needs to be. You can blame a number of factors but the fact is that it hasn’t been coming from the players.

Instead, nearly all the leadership has been coming from the top. Mullen’s level of intensity in each game has brought a different level of play from his team. You could call him Dan “Mullens” this year because he’s brought a different personality to each game.

South Alabama – casual Dan

South Carolina – inspired Dan

LSU – wandering Dan

UMass – family Dan

Auburn – absent Dan

BYU – mean Dan

So far this year, South Carolina and BYU have been the Bulldogs’ best games. I know last week’s game in Provo did not end in a win, but it was perhaps the most consistent this team has played for four quarters (not good, just consistent). There was effort and focus against the Gamecocks and Cougars.

Pregame vs. South Carolina:

Mullen pregame vs. South Carolina pic.twitter.com/7Zzj6gXLh2

— M-State Pics & Video (@mstatepicsvideo) October 16, 2016

Pregame vs. BYU:

Mullen pregame vs. BYU pic.twitter.com/v5hYhbdGsS

— M-State Pics & Video (@mstatepicsvideo) October 16, 2016

Here’s the postgame press conference where Dan is, shall we say, pissed:

I love this version of Dan. I don’t care if he’s nice to media – who cares if they have stories to write? I want a ticked off coach who hates to lose.

So will he bring the fire against Kentucky? You know he really doesn’t want to lose to a team he’s 7-0 against. This team looks to its head coach for leadership – that’s just the way it is this year – so he’s got to bring it if State wants to beat the Wildcats.