Take Five Breakdown: Florida-Mississippi State Preview

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• OTM: Is there a path to a fourth year
• Ranking UF’s commits from least to most likely to jump ship
• Recruit Reaction: The most important thing for me is seeing DJ Lagway get better
• What names are on your Coaching Hot Board

While Florida has been struggling, so has Mississippi State. The Bulldogs (1-2) are coming off two straight losses before opening SEC play against the Gators. To get a better feel for MSU, Inside the Gators caught up with Andrew Miller of Maroon and White Nation for a full preview.

Five Mississippi State Bulldogs to Know

Blake Shapen, Quarterback, Senior

• Baylor Transfer Blake Shapen is under center for the Bulldogs this season. Statistically, he has done well completing 77% of his passes for 834 yards and seven touchdowns. He has fumbled twice and has one interception on the season, but Shapen has done well in the Bulldogs’ offense. “When he has had time to operate in the pocket, he has done a good job of getting the ball out to a pretty talented group of receivers,” Miller said. The Senior always looks to make a play, but it might come back to bite him.

Kevin Coleman Jr., Wide Receiver, Junior

• In the talented receiver room, Kevin Coleman Jr. stands out. The transfer from Louisville has 16 catches, 268 yards, and three touchdowns so far this season. Coleman can create plays on his own and will be a threat if Shapen has time in the pocket. “He is a really explosive guy out of the slot,” Miller said. “Someone that [the Bulldogs] are going to try and get some touches for.” Watch out for trick plays as the Junior has lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat formation this year.

Johnny Daniels, Running Back, Junior

• If there is a bright spot in Mississippi State’s running game, it is JUCO Transfer Johnny Daniels. The Junior is coming off a 59-yard game on the ground against Toledo. “If something is going to happen in the run game, you turn it to him to try and get a spark to possibly get something going,” Miller said. Daniels didn’t get many touches before Toledo, but it seems he will be a big part of the Bulldogs’ running game in the future.

Isaac Smith, Safety, Sophomore

• It’s great to have a player who leads the nation in tackling, but not so much when it is your safety. Mississippi native Isaac Smith is tied in the nation for most tackles with 43. He enters the box to help stop the run and has been solid as the last line of defense. “Far and away the best and most talented player [the Bulldogs] have on that side of the ball,” Miller said.

Branden Jennings, Linebacker, Junior

• If there is someone to keep an eye on in Mississippi State’s front seven, it is UCF transfer Branden Jennings. The edge rusher has 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack on the season so far. “He is someone who has shown the ability to at least get to the football and can create some pressure,” Miller said. The Bulldogs have struggled to get to the quarterback so far this season, but don’t be surprised if Jennings has himself a day against a poor Florida offensive line.

Five Fast Facts

• Since 2000, Mississippi State is 5-6 after losing a game against a Group of Five or FCS team.
• Although the Gators lead the all-time series over the Bulldogs 34-19-2, Mississippi State has a 7-5 record over Florida in Starkville.
• The Gators have shut out the Bulldogs eight times (1924, 1925, 1954, 1956, 1978, 1988, 1989, 2001) while Mississippi State has shut Florida out four times (1936, 1938, 1939, 1941).
• From 1962-1993, the Gators and Bulldogs faced off against one another every year.
• The first matchup between the two programs was in 1923 on neutral territory in Jacksonville, Fla. The game ended in a 13-13 tie.

Five Game Day Storylines

Last Straw for Billy Napier

• There is no doubt about it, Coach Napier needs a win to save his job. He has a 12-16 record since taking over the Gators and currently, Florida is 1-2 on the season. If the Gators fall two games below .500, it seems that Napier’s time in the Orange and Blue will be up.

Similar Feeling As 2004

• Heading into Starkville back in 2004, the Gators were led by third-year head coach Ron Zook. On the other sideline, the Bulldogs were under first-year head coach Sylvester Croom. Florida ended up losing 38-31 and Zook was fired right after. Twenty years later, third-year head coach Billy Napier is facing first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. “I think everyone kind of looks at this game as if [Billy Napier] loses, it’s probably going to be the end of his tenure there in Gainesville,” Miller said.

Bulldog Fans Have Been Let Down

• Going into the season, Mississippi State fans were excited to see Jeff Lebby electrify the offense. Unfortunately, that has not been the case as the Bulldogs rank 12^th in the SEC for offensive yards per game. Not only that, but the defense allows the second most yards compared to the rest of the SEC with 388 yards per game. “A lot of people thought the defense was going to be bad, but not like this,” Miller said. Only the Gators allow more yards per game (407.3).

Bad Running Games on Both Sides

• Mississippi State has not been able to run the ball all season. The Bulldogs have had a different leading rusher each game. In the last two games, they are averaging just 45 yards on the ground. Florida has found more success in the run game, but the Gators struggled to get things going against A&M. Montrell Johnson Jr. finished with -7 yards from seven carries. Both teams need to reset and get their run game going if they want to find any success this season.

Poor Gators’ Defensive Line against Poor Bulldogs’ Offensive Line

• Since Week 1, the Gators have not been able to put any pressure on the opposition’s quarterback. Cam Ward and Marcel Reed combined for 563 yards in the air and 106 yards on the ground against Florida. On the other side, the Mississippi State O-line has been woeful. Against Toledo alone, they allowed six tackles for loss and five sacks and couldn’t help the running game get going. Saturday is the time for these lackluster position groups to put in a better performance and show the fans that there is potential to improve.

Prediction

• Joseph Torviso: Gators 27-24
• Andre Miller: Gators 31-24

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