Kamario Taylor Injury Shakes Up Mississippi State-LSU

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Game Time Decisions

Mississippi State Injuries Highlight the SEC’s Week-to-Week Volatility

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is expected to miss tomorrow’s game, according to a report from Pete Hamill. The team will also be without starting running back Fluff Bothwell, the SEC’s second-leading rusher.

Those absences have helped move the line from 10.5 points to 16 or 16.5. Still, that is a significant spread for an LSU team coming off an overtime loss to Kentucky. The matchup could be much closer than people expect.

The larger story is the SEC’s dramatic week-to-week swings. LSU was riding high before losing to Mississippi. Mississippi then lost to Florida, Florida lost to Missouri, and Mississippi State was crushed by Alabama. Alabama subsequently lost to Georgia.

Teams buy into the hype after a major victory, only to struggle the following week. Florida was a perfect example: After the home win over Ole Miss, the conversation immediately turned to the playoff, a national championship and Jaden Bob as a Heisman candidate. The Gators have not won a game since.

That inconsistency shows the difference between well-coached, experienced teams and rosters filled with players who were elsewhere last season and are now together for the first time.