Todd Bates reveals the challenges of Mississippi State's offense

The Oklahoma Sooners head to Starkville, Miss., for their first-ever matchup against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. The game will be a major game for both teams coming off losses and hoping to turn their seasons around.

The Bulldogs are led by former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. He has one of the most high-powered offenses in college football. Mississippi State ranks No. 22 in total offense, No. 22 in passing offense, No. 50 in rushing offense and No. 48 in scoring offense. The Bulldogs are led by star quarterback Kamario Taylor, who missed the last game due to an injury. Mississippi State didn't score against the LSU Tigers in his absence.

It's unclear if he will return, but Oklahoma coach Todd Bates said that Mississippi State can still attack defenses in many ways.

"They also have the now screens in the touch game to make you defend every blade of grass, and by the way, they got, you know, dudes that clock 23 miles per hour running, and they can take the top off," Bates said. "The double moves, you know, they challenge your eyes. So you can't have eye crimes."

Oklahoma's defense will need to stay disciplined from the opening snap, regardless of who lines up at quarterback for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs' ability to stretch the field horizontally with quick screens and attack vertically with deep routes puts pressure on defenders to recognize formations and maintain their assignments. One missed read or blown coverage could quickly turn into an explosive play, making communication and sound tackling especially important for the Sooners.