Mississippi State heads into its November 7 matchup with Vanderbilt carrying a problem that has become impossible to miss: the quarterback room is in rough shape.
The Bulldogs opened the season 4-0, then lost four straight and now return to Davis Wade Stadium looking for a reset. But the path back is complicated by injuries at the most important spot on the field. Kamario Taylor is out for the rest of the season with a toe injury, and AJ Swann is also dealing with an injury.
That leaves head coach Jeff Lebby sorting through an uneasy mix of options. Billy Puckett, Jaden Rashada and Brodie McWhorter are among the quarterbacks still available, but the issue is less about raw ability than it is about consistency and experience. Against SEC defenses, that matters fast.
Taylor’s season was built around his ability to create with both his arm and his legs, so his absence forced Mississippi State to reshape its offense. Swann, who transferred in after previously playing at Vanderbilt, looked like the next answer. Then came the Texas game, where he was injured on a sack that led to a scoop-and-score in Mississippi State’s 31-3 loss.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line has not made life any easier. Protection has been a problem, and that only raises the pressure on whichever quarterback gets the call Saturday.
Vanderbilt brings its own flaws into the game, especially on defense. The Commodores have struggled in pass coverage and have given up explosive plays through the air, which gives Mississippi State a chance to get its passing game moving if it can find some rhythm.
Still, Vanderbilt has enough on offense to make this a real test. Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis has flashed big-time passing ability, including a 27-of-36 outing for 247 yards against Kentucky. Junior Sherrill has also become a major target, topping 700 receiving yards.
That means Mississippi State cannot afford to get behind early and ask an inexperienced quarterback to do too much. If Vanderbilt starts moving the ball, the Bulldogs’ quarterback situation becomes even more critical.
Mississippi State has already shown what this offense can look like when it is working. The 4-0 start proved that much. But injuries and tougher SEC competition have exposed the cracks, and now the quarterback position sits at the center of everything.
If Lebby can settle on a quarterback who protects the ball, makes the necessary throws and steadies the offense, Mississippi State still has a real shot to get back in the win column.
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