LSU enters Saturday’s matchup with Mississippi State still sorting through a familiar part of the season: the injury report. The Tigers got their initial conference update Wednesday night, and while there were no fresh surprises, the list still carries some weight for a team trying to rebound.
The most immediate LSU concern is linebacker Tylen Singleton, who is listed as questionable. Davhon Keys has been the starter, but Singleton is expected to play too, and his availability matters for depth. He was limited to just three snaps last week, so LSU will be hoping he can give the linebacker room a stronger presence this time around.
LSU’s players listed out are TE Trey'Dez Green, LB Whit Weeks, S Dashawn Spears, WR Phillip Wright III, and LB Charles Ross II.
On Mississippi State’s side, the biggest storyline is quarterback Kamario Taylor. He is questionable after dealing with a foot issue suffered against Alabama, and his Friday status could shape the entire game. Taylor has not had a full practice since that Oct. 3 matchup with the Tide.
Mississippi State’s other players listed out are LB Jalen Smith, WR Ayden Williams, DL Trevion Williamson, and DL Diesel Moye. LB Zakari Tillman is doubtful, while RB Fluff Bothwell is questionable.
Taylor’s availability looms large because he has been one of the most electric quarterbacks in the country, and Mississippi State does not appear to have a clean backup solution if he can’t go. That would likely leave redshirt freshman walk-on Parker Puckett in line for the start. LSU’s defense would clearly like that setup.
The Tigers are favored by more than two touchdowns, a number that has moved since the lines first opened, and Taylor’s uncertainty is a major reason why.
Bothwell’s status is also worth tracking. He was hurt against Alabama as well, and his production has been one of the few bright spots for Mississippi State’s offense.
He had three straight games with at least 100 yards and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Last week, the backups combined for just 37 yards on 20 carries.
In Other News...
LSU Just Got The Break It Needed In The Playoff Chase
LSU heads into the second half of its season at 4-2, still needing both cleaner play and a little help if it wants to stay in the College Football Playoff picture. The next step on that road runs through Mississippi State, and the timing could hardly be better for the Tigers, with a matchup against a Bulldogs team already dealing with injury uncertainty at key spots.
Mississippi States quarterback depth could be a factor if Kamario Taylor is limited, leaving Parker Puckett and AJ Swann in the conversation behind center. The Bulldogs are also watching Fluff Bothwell's status, and the ripple effects matter for a team trying to stay competitive while LSU keeps chasing the kind of stretch it needs against ranked opponents to keep its postseason hopes alive. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin Had A Brutal Response To Mississippi States Injury-Hit Loss
Mississippi States night in Baton Rouge never had much chance to settle into anything resembling a competitive SEC game, and the Bulldogs left with a 31-0 loss as LSU rode a polished performance from quarterback Sam Leavitt. Leavitt completed 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns, the kind of efficiency that can put a game out of reach before the fourth quarter ever becomes a factor.
Afterward, LSU coach Lane Kiffin made clear he wasnt interested in softening the edges of the result based on Mississippi States situation. The Bulldogs were already shorthanded, and the question hanging over the postgame discussion was whether those absences changed the meaning of the win at all, a point Kiffin brushed aside in a way that only added to the sting of an already lopsided night. [Read more 🡒]
Mississippi State Faces A Defining Home Test After Another Brutal Loss
A home date with Oklahoma arrives at a tricky moment for Mississippi State, which is trying to shake off a 31-0 loss to LSU and find some traction on offense. The Bulldogs have spent the week sorting through the fallout from two straight lopsided defeats, and the possibility of quarterback Kamario Taylor returning from injury adds a layer of intrigue to what could otherwise feel like another uphill Saturday.
Oklahoma comes in with momentum after upsetting Texas, but it still has Kentucky ahead before turning its full attention to Starkville. For Mississippi State, this is the kind of game that can either steady a season or deepen the concerns, especially if the offense can finally get back to something closer to full strength. [Read more 🡒]