On Thursday, Mark Stoops spoke to the media for the final time before Kentucky’s matchup with Mississippi State. Once again, the UK coaching staff left the practice field happy with the Wildcats’ work.”Guys have been good all week,” Stoops said. “We’ve had good energy and good practices, so hopefully we’ll get a few mistakes cleaned up. Seems like we have, and looking forward to a great game here Saturday.”A great game and, if Stoops is right, a great atmosphere as well.Asked about the opportunity to play against the nation’s top-ranked team at home, Stoops repeated that he’s excited to take the field in front of a big crowd at Commonwealth Stadium.”Well, I think we’re starting to create a great environment at home and we’re looking forward to that, so obviously, always a lot nicer playing at home than at some of these venues in the SEC,” Stoops said. “It’s pretty challenging. So hopefully we’ll get some good home-field advantage and it will help us.”Mississippi State’s ranking has added to the anticipation for Saturday’s game on the part of fans, but the No. 1 next to the Bulldogs’ name only means so much to coaches and players.”A big game’s a big game,” Stoops said. “You kind of feel it in the air and the energy and the practice and the focus, so they’re really all big games. Once you get to the point where we’re doing what we’re doing and trying to win a bunch of games, then they’re all important. We’ve got a tough stretch and this is our next one.”

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