Florida and Mississippi State meet in SEC Championship, looking to rebound from disheartening home losses

Florida (1-2, 0-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (1-2, 0-0), Saturday, noon ET (ESPN).

BetMGM College Sports Odds:Florida 6 1/2.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Both teams are looking to rebound from home losses that put pressure on their head coaches. Mississippi State lost 45-17 in Toledo in non-league play, which drew attention to first-year coach Jeff Lebby, but the the seat is warmer for his Florida counterpart, Billy Napier, whose team fell 33-20 against Texas A&M in their SEC opener. The Gators are looking for their first win over the Bulldogs since a 13-6 victory in 2018 with the game’s only touchdown.

SECOND CONFLICT

Mississippi State’s passing game appears to be on its way back to its torrid pace under Lebby after last year’s major decline. The bulldogs The Gators are averaging 278 yards per game, which ranks 42nd nationally, and have scored six of their 11 touchdowns in five games or fewer. The passing game has accounted for 10 of their 11 explosive plays with three TDs. That’s a tall order for a Gators secondary that ranks 92nd out of 133 FBS teams (235.7) and second-to-last in the conference. Florida Last week, the Aggies threw for TDs of 73 and 29 yards and 178 total, two games after No. 19 Miami (Fla.) threw for 385 yards and three scores in the opener.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida: Receiver Elijah Badger. He ranks fourth in the SEC with 260 yards on 11 receptions, including 94 yards on five receptions with a touchdown last week against A&M. His averages of 23.6 yards per reception and 86.7 yards per game also rank fourth in the league.

Mississippi State: QB Blake Shapen. He ranks 20th nationally with 834 passing yards (278.0 per game) and has completed 70.1 percent of his passes (61-of-87) for seven touchdowns with one interception. That includes 319 yards and two TDs on 28-of-39 passing against Toledo. Shapen’s TD total is tied for 18th in the FBS.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Florida ranks 39th in passing (279.0 yards per game) with Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway (541 yards, four TDs, three INTs) alternating drives last week against A&M. … Running back Montrell Johnson has 33 carries for 166 rushing yards (55.3 per game) and three TDs. … Bulldogs receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. leads the nation with 17.9 all-purpose yards per play and is averaging 131.3 per game. His 268 receiving yards rank third in the conference. … Mississippi State’s defense ranks 94th (388 yards).

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