Game Day: Florida at Mississippi State (Saturday, noon ET)

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The last time the Florida Gators played a road football game at Mississippi State the head coach was top storyline. UF’s Dan Mullen was back at Wade Stadium, where he’d guided the Bulldogs to unfathomable heights, including an ascension to the program’s only No. 1 ranking, as well as seven consecutive bowl games. 

Mullen needed nine seasons to become the second-winningest coach in MSU history. He was six victories shy of the top spot when he left to become head coach at Florida over Thanksgiving weekend 2017. 

Eight months later, Mullen was back at the place he knew so very well, with the Gators coming from behind in the second half for stirring, defensive-wrought 13-6 win that proved one of the highlights of a 10-victory season. 

Well, here the Gators (1-2, 0-1) are again, back in the Magnolia State to face the Bulldogs (1-2, 0-0), and the top storyline — again — is the their coach. 

For different reasons, obviously. 

[Read senior writer Scott Carter’s comprehensive “Opening Kickoff” setup here]

Billy Napier talked this week about controlling the controlables, and that’s really what his team’s Southeastern Conference road opener is all about. The outside chatter that Ron Zook used to call “noise in the system” — and that was before social media — is louder than the deafening cowbells that will be ringing in the helmets of the visiting team this morning. 

The day began with an early wake-up call, due to the team staying in Tuscaloosa, Ala., about 85 miles away. The challenge after that long bus ride will be to enter a hostile venue with the kind of energy needed to win a league game on the road. That could be a tough ask, considering the Gators have struggled to muster the kind of spark needed to compete against a pair of high-major opponents at home, much less come close to beating them. 

Mississippi State clearly is not in the class of Miami or Texas A&M, who pounded on UF by an aggregate 74-37 at Gainesville (with a 45-7 rout of Samford in between). And while the Gators might be nearly a touchdown favorite in this game, they’ll have to perform better than what they’ve show in averaging 398.9 yards of total offense (72nd nationally, 11th in the SEC) and allowing 407.3 yards (tied for 106 nationally, last in the SEC). Those numbers are somewhat skewed in UF’s favor by the lopsided rout against the FCS-class Bulldogs, who they worked for 632 yards.

The Bulldogs they’ll face Saturday haven’t been great — a home win over FCS Eastern Kentucky to open the season, followed by losses at Arizona State and ugly 41-17 defeat to Toledo at home last weekend — but they’re at home, hungry, better rested and should not be taken lightly 

The Gators can’t take anyone lightly. 

Look for the UF quarterback flip-flopping from a week ago to give way to a mostly Graham Mertz afternoon. Mertz, who returned to action against A&M after missing the Samford game with a  concussion, outplayed freshman DJ Lagway after his record-setting, 456-yard performance in Mertz’s stead. The two took turns last week against the Aggies, with Mertz going 12 of 15 for 195 yards, one touchdown and an interception competed to Lagway’s 6-for-13 for 54 yards, one TD and two picks. They’ll face a MSU defense that’s given up 388.0 yards per game (tied for 94th) and a whopping 213.7 rushing yards (122nd), which should excite UF tailback Montrell Johnson Jr. (166 yards, 3 TD). 

The Gators will be without sophomore standout wide receiver Eugene Wilson III due to injury, but Mertz has developed some chemistry with transfer arrivals Elijhah Badger (11 catches, 260 yards, 1 TD) and Chimere Dike (8 for 146, 1 TD). 

Mississippi State, under first-year coach Jeff Lebby (former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma), will counter with Baylor transfer Blake Shapen (834 yards, 7 TD, 1 INT) under center, a trio of tailbacks led by Keyvone Lee (88 yards, 1 TD) and a receiving core keyed by Kevin Coleman Jr. (16 catches, 268 yards, 3 TD). 

Should UF manage to block out the “noise” and get out of the place affectionately (and mockingly) known as Starkvegas with a win it’ll be a credit to Napier, his staff, the players, and a testament to their focus. 

After that, though, The Florida storyline won’t change.  

Coverage starts at noon on ABC, with the crew of Dave Pasch on play-by-play, Dusty Dvorak providing analysis and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield broadcast will air with pregame coverage beginning at 9 a.m. and eventually give way to Sean Kelly, Shane Matthews and Tate Casey from the field on the call. For GSN stations, click here. 

 

The game will be re-aired Monday at 10 p.m. and again Tuesday at 3 a.m. on the SEC Network.

 

Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, also.