Gentry Hawk, and Nick Marcinko preview Florida’s week four road matchup vs Mississippi State with our roundtable discussion, where we discuss keys to the game and give our score predictions.
What are the keys for Florida’s offense vs Mississippi State?
GH: Florida’s success on offense will come down to how well the Gators run the football against the Bulldogs. Mississippi State has given up a total of 641 rushing yards through three games and I think the Gators can take control if the offensive line can improve on Saturday.
NM: Mississippi State has one of the worst run defenses in the country entering week four. Florida has to establish the ground game which will open up the offense for Florida to exploit the Bulldogs banged up secondary.
What are the keys for Florida’s defense vs Mississippi State?
GH: The biggest key for Florida on defense will be their ability to pressure Blake Shapen and cause turnovers. Mississippi State’s running game isn’t great, and I think the Gators can capitalize this weekend if both the secondary and defensive line can finally work together.
NM: Florida has to be prepared defensively, making sure they are lined up on time and communicating throughout the game. MSU runs an up-tempo offense that can be tricky if they are unprepared. The Gators need to put an emphasis on creating negatives to keep MSU off rhythm within their offense.
Who would you like to receive more snaps in week four?
GH: I said it last week and I’m going to say it again this week. I think Aidan Mizell deserves more snaps in place of injured WR Tre Wilson.
NM: LJ McCray. Florida’s pass rush has been abysmal through three weeks and the No.1 defensive lineman in the 2024 class has been sidelined for the overwhelming majority of defensive snaps. McCray should be seeing 20+ snaps this week as the Gators search for an answer coming off the edge.
Billy Napier is just 2-7 on the road at Florida. What do the Gators need to do differently in Starkville?
GH: The mentality has to change for this team on Saturday. With the Gators struggling on the road and facing a big challenge this weekend with a noon kickoff, I think this team has to set the tone early and find momentum on both sides of the ball to have a chance.
NM: You have to come out of the gate swinging and take the cowbell crowd out of the game. The Gators have started painfully slow in their first two FBS games, and that is a recipe for disaster on the road in the SEC.
Florida is currently six-point favorites over Mississippi State. Give us a score prediction.
GH: If Mississippi State didn’t look so bad against Toledo, I would be taking the Bulldogs at home over the Gators with the game kicking off at noon. I have the Gators winning 28-24 in a very close game.
NM: I’m taking Florida 31-20. I think it’s a close game in the 4th quarter and the Gators pull away.