Mississippi State Football: Could Louisiana pose upset threat for Bulldogs?

3. Nick Fitzgerald bounces back in big way

It’s been a slow start to the season for quarterback Nick Fitzgerald. Once considered to a be a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback is finally healthy after rehabbing from a gruesome leg injury he suffered in last season’s Egg Bowl.

Fitzgerald took a back seat to Keytaon Thompson in the season opener, serving a suspension rather than knocking the dust off against SFA. Thompson got the start and the big statistical day and Fitzgerald was dealt a road game against Kansas State for his first game since last fall. The Wildcats aren’t defensive wizards, but Bill Snyder’s teams are always sound on that side of the ball.

Louisiana-Lafayette won’t pose nearly the same challenge. Not only will Fitzgerald improve on his 11-for-27, 154-yard performance from last week, he’ll triple his 2018 touchdown total on Saturday which currently sits at two scores, both through the air.

This is the last tuneup game the Bulldogs get before SEC play against Kentucky next week, making it all the more important that Fitzgerald works through any early season jitters against the Ragin’ Cajuns.