STARKVILLE, Miss. — The last time the Florida Gators visited Mississippi State for a road game, the storyline revolved around their head coach. Dan Mullen, then leading the Gators, was back at Wade Stadium where he had taken the Bulldogs to unprecedented heights, including a No. 1 national ranking and seven consecutive bowl games.
Game Day: Florida at Mississippi State (Saturday, noon ET)
UF’s first road game of the season (and first trip to Starkville since 2018) pits two SEC teams that have not played well and in desperate need for a victory.
Mullen, in his nine seasons, became the second-winningest coach in Mississippi State history, just six wins shy of the top spot when he left for Florida in late 2017. Fast forward eight months, and Mullen returned to Starkville, where the Gators rallied in the second half for a gritty 13-6 victory in a defense-heavy game. That victory was one of the highlights of Florida’s 10-win season.
Now, the Gators (1-2, 0-1) are back in the Magnolia State to face the Bulldogs (1-2, 0-0), but this time the focus is on a different coach: Billy Napier.
Napier, speaking this week about “controlling the controllables,” knows his team’s Southeastern Conference road opener will be tough. The “noise in the system,” as former UF coach Ron Zook called it — magnified now by social media — will be even louder than the relentless cowbells in the helmets of the visiting Gators.
Starting the day with an early wake-up call in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (about 85 miles away), the challenge for Florida will be maintaining the energy needed to compete in a hostile environment after a long bus ride. This might prove difficult, especially as Florida has struggled to find the spark necessary to contend against top-tier opponents. The Gators have been outclassed by both Miami and Texas A&M at home, losing by a combined 74-37, with only a 45-7 victory over Samford breaking up the rough start.
Mississippi State isn’t quite on par with Miami or Texas A&M, but the Bulldogs should not be taken lightly. Florida, nearly a touchdown favorite, will need to outperform their current stats to secure a win. The Gators are averaging 398.9 yards of total offense (72nd nationally, 11th in the SEC) while allowing 407.3 yards (106th nationally, last in the SEC). Those numbers are skewed by the Samford rout, where Florida gained 632 yards.
The Bulldogs, under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby (formerly Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator), have struggled. After a win over FCS Eastern Kentucky, Mississippi State has lost to Arizona State and was blown out 41-17 by Toledo at home. Despite their 1-2 record, the Bulldogs are rested, hungry, and playing at home, which could make them a dangerous opponent.
Expect Florida’s quarterback situation to stabilize, with Graham Mertz likely taking the majority of the snaps. Mertz, who returned from a concussion against Texas A&M, outperformed freshman DJ Lagway in last week’s game. Mertz completed 12 of 15 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown, and an interception, while Lagway went 6-for-13 with 54 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Mertz will face a Mississippi State defense that’s allowed 388.0 yards per game (94th nationally) and 213.7 rushing yards (122nd nationally), a promising stat for UF running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (166 yards, 3 TDs).
The Gators will be without sophomore wide receiver Eugene Wilson III due to injury, but Mertz has developed a connection with transfer receivers Elijhah Badger (11 catches, 260 yards, 1 TD) and Chimere Dike (8 catches, 146 yards, 1 TD).
Mississippi State will rely on quarterback Blake Shapen (834 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT) and a solid trio of running backs, led by Keyvone Lee (88 yards, 1 TD), along with wideout Kevin Coleman Jr. (16 catches, 268 yards, 3 TDs).
If Florida can block out the noise, stay focused, and execute, a win in Starkville will be a credit to Napier and his staff. But regardless of the outcome, the pressure surrounding Florida’s football program and their head coach will remain.
Game Details:
- Kickoff: Noon on ABC
- Announcers: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Dusty Dvorak (analysis), Taylor McGregor (sidelines)
- Radio: Gators Sports Network from Learfield (pregame starts at 9 a.m.)
- Re-airing: Monday at 10 p.m. and Tuesday at 3 a.m. on SEC Network
- Follow: Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) on Twitter for live commentary and analysis
Complete post-game coverage will be available on FloridaGators.com late Saturday night, with follow-up content on Sunday.