Mississippi State has its first real test on Saturday.

The Bulldogs travel up to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a Week 2 date with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. It’s a pivotal early test that becomes all the more important when looking at the five ranked teams MSU faces in its next six contests.

Here are MSU’s three keys to victory against the Golden Gophers.

Contain Anthony Smith

Mississippi State’s offensive line did its job last week.

The Bulldogs allowed zero sacks, and gave Kamario Taylor plenty of time to get comfortable and make plays from the pocket. The question all offseason was if this o-line could make the much needed improvement from last season’s 45-sack-allowed mark, and Saturday, albeit against a much lesser opponent, the unit did its job.

But the rush will get a lot better against Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers had 39 sacks last season, the second best mark in the Big Ten, and return the conference’s sack leader from last season, Anthony Smith, who Jeff Lebby called “the most productive guy in all of college football.”

“(He) flies off the ball, high-effort guy. Just always has a knack to get to the quarterback,” MSU offensive lineman DJ Chester said. “I just like how he plays.”

Taylor looked poised from the pocket more than he ever has against ULM. In his first ever road start, it’ll be vital that MSU’s o-line keeps it that way, and protects him from one of the nation’s best.

Hit Drake Lindsey early

Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey didn’t light up the stat sheet last year.

In his first season starting at Minnesota, Lindsey threw for over 2,300 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. What he did do, however, was win.

He became the first freshman quarterback in Minnesota history to win eight games, leading the Gophers to an 8-5 record. But some of Lindsey’s worst games last year came when the pressure was high.

He was sacked four times against Iowa, and threw three interceptions and just 109 yards in a 41-3 loss. He was sacked three times against Oregon, and threw for just 138 yards in a 42-13 loss.

Lindsey is the more experienced of the two quarterbacks, and is playing with the home crowd. MSU’s defense will need to get after him, and do it soon.

“We’re going to have to affect him when he’s in the pocket to be able to get him on the ground,” Lebby said.

Special Teams coverage

This could very well be the only time something special teams makes this list all year. There is a good reason for its inclusion.

Minnesota receiver Javon Tracy may have cemented himself as one of the most electric returners in college football last Saturday, returning two punts for touchdowns and totaling 167 punt return yards.

“He’s an elite returner,” Lebby said. “So, (we) got to know where he’s at all the time, and then we’ve got to limit him in the return game, without a doubt.”

Miscues on punt coverage against a guy like that can not happen in a game this evenly matched. Let Tracy loose, and he could be the difference maker on Saturday.

Jake is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for The Dispatch.

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WLBT) – A new nail technician training program has opened at the Mississippi Correctional Institute for Women, giving students the chance to earn a career credential before they return to their communities.

The Central Mississippi Beauty College held a ribbon cutting for the program, which is designed to help women preparing for release.

Nykyia Brown, who is enrolled in the program, said she has worried about finding work after serving time.

“I always wonder like, with a record, what I do when I get out, like who will hire me or who want a convicted felon working for them,” Brown said.

Program addresses reentry goals

The nail academy is a state board-certified program available to women while they are still serving time.

Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Burl Cain said the program supports a broader goal the department and the state have been working toward.

“If you have a skill that someone can use to make money and that may have income, then you’re more apt to get a job and be employed,” Cain said.

Inmates from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility built the facility and added the artwork inside it ahead of the start of classes.

Roughly 17 to 18 week program

Nail school instructor Terrica Knight-Hatten said the program will run approximately 17 to 18 weeks.

“If I can help even one woman leave here with a license, a career, confidence and a new direction in life, then I know this program has made a difference,” Knight-Hatten said.

Program Specialist Erica Smith said the significance of the program goes beyond the new facility.

“This is not just a grand opening of a nail school. This is an opportunity for power,” Smith said.

Brown said the program has given her motivation for her future.

“It really motivated me to know that I got a second chance to go back out there and start over and make new choices, new decisions and to reform myself,” Brown said.

The school’s first class includes 16 students and two student instructors.

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WASHINGTON – The federal government will issue $500 refunds to nearly a million Americans for Obamacare overcharges, the White House said on Thursday.

Checks will be sent to eligible Americans starting October. President Donald Trump has also proposed to pay every U.S. adult a $5,000 “Trump dividend” if his party wins the November congressional elections, at a time when opinion polls show his popularity at an all-time low with broad majorities dissatisfied with the Iran war and the U.S. economy.

Obamacare plans, created by former President Barack Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act, are subsidized based on income.

The White House said the Biden Administration overcharged Americans through Obamacare plan exchange “user fees” that were passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums.

“In many cases, these refunds will cover the entire spike in your insurance caused by Democrats, who solely work to protect big insurance companies,” Trump said in a video posted by the White House on social media platform X.