Kentucky to start freshman QB Jalen Whitlow versus MSU Saturday

Big news out of Lexington this morning as Kentucky announces that sophomore QB Maxwell Smith is out indefinitely as his injuries will require surgery. Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal reports that Smith will require surgery to repair a torn ligament in his ankle. Smith was completing 68% of his passes with 975 yards and 8 TD's so far this season.

So where does that leave Kentucky in the depth department at QB? With two freshman, Jalen Whitlow and Patrick Towles, who will both play Saturday, according to UK coach Joker Phillips

Joker says Jalen Whitlow will likely be the starter but "we're going to play both."

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) October 1, 2012

Whitlow came in for Smith in last Saturday's loss to South Carolina and played decent considering he's a freshman and it was against South Carolina's defense, finishing 12 for 23 with 114 yards and 2 INTs.

Whitlow's backup for Saturday's game against State will be true freshman Patrick Towles. Towles was on track to be redshirted this season, but will be called into active duty with Smith potentially out for a while, if not the season. Towles is a big recruit for Kentucky, as he was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Kentucky last season for Highlands High School.

So how will Kentucky use the two against that MSU defense Saturday?

Joker says QB rotation "could be right in the middle of a series. It could be play after play after play, switching them out."

— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_CJ) October 1, 2012

Basically, we know as much as they do right now.

Follow our Mississippi State vs. Kentucky Storystream for all the important updates on Saturday's game.