Mike Wright and Will Rogers have just about the same amount of time as starting SEC quarterbacks. Their being on the same team now means Mississppi State can afford a slip here or there.
Rogers has been MSU’s starter for most of the season, but he injured his shoulder a couple weeks ago and his status for the Bulldogs’ game against Arkansas on Saturday is up in the air.
Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman must prepare his team for both. The situation creates a problem in and of itself because training for two is more difficult than training for one, but also because Rogers and Wright play two different styles.
Rogers is the classic, drop-back passer. Mississippi State doesn’t run the Air Raid style of offense that was so popular with former coach Mike Leach, so Rogers’ numbers are down from previous seasons, but he’s still the primary passer. Wright can pass and with some quality, but Pittman’s fear is that the Bulldogs can use him as a runner at any given moment, too.
“He throws better than I want him to,” Pittman said. “He’s fast. Obviously they’ll run him with run designed plays for him, not just read plays. Run a lot of fly sweeps with him.”
Wright built his reputation as a runner in the SEC at a different stop. He was a starter at Vanderbilt for one-and-a-half seasons before transferring in the offseason.
He didn’t overtake Rogers out of camp, however, and Mississippi State’s best chance of winning is likely with him fully healthy. But Wright’s ability have made Arkansas’ preparation tougher.
“It’s just different now knowing that Will got hurt – hopefully he’s fine – but we don’t know where that is,” Pittman said.