Why all eyes should be on Mississippi State wideout Keith Mixon

Now an upperclassman surrounded by the requisite pieces, junior Bulldog Keith Mixon looks to have taken it up a notch thus far this season. That said, Mississippi State’s receiving corps has a lot to prove and it starts tomorrow at Kroger Field. While quarterback Nick Fitzgerald along with running backs Kylin Hill and Aeris Williams have gotten most of the attention as it pertains to the offense, Mixon has a strong chance to prove his worth against Kentucky. Though the Wildcats will do their best to fluster the Bulldogs’ offense attack, look for Mixon to take advantage of a suspect defensive backfield.

The best word to describe Mississippi State’s receivers is uncertainty. Mixon stands at 5’8” and can run with the best of them. However, he now finds himself in a mix of capable starters. Primarily a sot receiver, there is no full guarantee that the job is his.

That said, nothing is for sure when one comes off an injury. If there is any game this season in which Mixon must take advantage of the potential spotlight, it’s this one. He, along with fellow wideouts Malik Dear and Austin Williams should all see the field, however, Mixon’s speed could be a deciding factor.

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Already with six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown on the year, he looks to be in good shape. Coach Moorhead should utilize him in a multitude of ways, as Mixon is a special talent in the slot. A formidable slot receiver has become an important position in today’s game, especially at the college level. Having said that, What better time for Mixon to show up than the opening of conference play?

The talent is there on offense for Mississippi State, but in order to win convincingly, the Bulldogs must bring out the best in Mixon. He is a blazer and can burn anybody if motivated. But talent can only get you so far. It is just a matter of time, as we will see the work put in against the Wildcats.

The bottomline is that Mixon is a wildcard. If able to live up to or further exceed expectations, Mississippi State’s offense will be on another level. But, as mentioned above, anything can happen when coming off an injury. Look for Mixon to not only see time, but take advantage and make the most of every opportunity.