Mississippi State football has a key game against the Florida Gators in Gainesville on Saturday. How does the final injury report look ahead of the matchup?
Mississippi State Bulldogs Albert Reese and Isaac Smith active, Fluff Bothwell out vs Florida Gators
Mississippi State will have their best offensive lineman back in the lineup against Florida. Senior right tackle Albert Reese IV is off the injury report after being listed as questionable earlier in the week. The 6-7, 330 native of Alberta has had by far his best year as a Bulldog, and with him out of the lineup late against Tennessee and at Texas A&M, the MSU run game and, especially, pass protection suffered. Having him back is massive for the State offense's ability to stay on the field and get in the endzone.
The Bulldogs will also have back their defensive leader in safety Isaac Smith. Smith led the Bulldogs with 127 tackles in 2024 and is in the midst of another good season this year. Getting Smith back in the lineup will be key to Mississippi State being able to limit Florida to minimal gains offensively.
What we have known for a few days now is that the Bulldogs will be without their best offensive player in running back Fluff Bothwell. Bothwell, who leads Mississippi State with 465 rushing yards and six touchdowns, suffered an injury late in the fourth quarter of the Bulldogs' loss at Texas A&M two weeks ago and had to be carted off the field. State has since received positive news that Bothwell's injury wasn't as serious as initially feared, and he could return this season.
That said, he's going to miss some time, so State will have to manage without him against Florida. They should be capable given their depth and talent at running back. Davon Booth is a proven player in the SEC after a strong year for the Bulldogs in 2024, and sophomore Xavier Gayten has flashed in his opportunities thus far.
For Florida, key defenders in safety Jordan Castell and defensive lineman Brien Taylor Jr. are both off the injury report and expected to play against State. Starting cornerback Cormani McClain, backup running back Ja'Kobi Jackson, and backup tight end Tony Livingston are considered questionable.