The Florida Gators will be back on the road to take on #23 Mississippi State Bulldogs. This will be one of the most emotional games for the Florida Gators and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It will be the first time Florida head coach Dan Mullen will coach against his former team. Mullen was the head coach at Mississippi State for nine years but left the Bulldogs for the Florida head coaching job. Both of these teams come into this game with 3-1 records with losses to the Kentucky Wildcats. The Gators are 33-19-2 against the Bulldogs all time and won their last game versus MSU in 2010. Here is the Florida Gators vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs preview.
Florida Gators vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs come into this with a ton of emotions. They were upset by the Kentucky Wildcats 28-7 giving them their first loss. It will also be the first time the Bulldogs will see their former coach on the other sideline. The Mississippi State offense is led by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. The redshirt-senior quarterback has a 51.3 completion percentage for 542 passing yards, four touchdown passes and two interceptions. Kylin Hill is their lead rusher with 36 carries for 304 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs also have two big receivers in Osirus Mitchell and Stephen Guidry. Mitchell has nine receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Guidry has eight catches for 174 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, the Bulldogs will look to rebound after giving up four touchdowns to Kentucky. Senior safety Johnathan Abram is the lead tackler for the Bulldogs. Abram has 26 total tackles with 0.5 tackle for a loss and an interception. Senior defensive end Montez Sweat is Mississippi State’s best defensive lineman. Sweat leads the Bulldogs in sacks with 4.5. He also has seven tackles for losses and a QB hurry. Junior defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is also a force to be reckoned with. Simmons has 18 tackles on the year and leads the team in tackles for loss with 7.5.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators are coming off a blowout win versus the Tennessee Volunteers. The Gators defeated the Volunteers 47-21 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Florida offense will be led by their rushing attack and quarterback Feleipe Franks. The redshirt-sophomore QB has improved a ton from last season. Franks has a 52.5 completion percentage for 742 passing yards, twelve touchdowns and two interceptions. Florida’s lead rusher is freshman Dameon Pierce. The Georgia native has 21 carries for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt-junior Jordan Scarlett has 30 carries for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Florida’s lead receiver is Freddie Swain with eight receptions for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Van Jefferson also has eight catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. A big key for the Gators will be if the offensive line can handle Mississippi State’s tough defensive line.
The Florida Gators defense had an incredible game versus Tennessee as they forced six turnovers. The Florida defense is led by their junior linebacker David Reese. The Michigan native has only played one game this season but proved just how important he is to Florida’s defense. Reese is the quarterback of the defense and does a good job of defending the rush. Sophomore C.J. Henderson is another Gator to watch for as he hasn’t been tested much already is having a nice season. Defensive end Jabari Zuniga leads the Gators is sacks with 2.5. Rayshad Jackson leads the team in tackles with 25 and also has 0.5 tackles for loss.
5 Players to Watch: Mississippi State Bulldogs
- QB Nick Fitzgerald
- DE Montez Sweat
- WR Stephen Guidry
- DT Jeffery Simmons
- S Johnathan Abram
5 Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- LB David Reese
- RB Jordan Scarlett
- DT Adam Shuler
- WR Freddie Swain
- DE Cece Jefferson
5 Predictions:
- Feleipe Franks throws for over 200 yards.
- Nick Fitzgerald has over 250 all-purpose yards.
- Florida gets two sacks on the night.
- Mississippi State’s defense holds Florida’s rushing attack under 175 yards.
- Mississippi State beats Florida 24-20.
