Florida Football: Gators triumphant in Dan Mullen return to Starkville

2. It’s time to start worrying about the Mississippi State offense

There was some mild concern when Mississippi State scored one touchdown in a 28-7 road loss to Kentucky in Week 4. Everyone has their off days, so no alarms were raised following what many assumed was an off week. After failing to reach the endzone at all against Florida, it’s officially time to panic.

The Mississippi State offense was fine against SFA, Kansas State and Louisiana, the three of which have combined to defeat exactly zero FBS teams so far this season. Kentucky, which allows 13.3 points per game, was the first real test. Mississippi State failed that test and somehow did even worse in Week 5 against Florida.

The Gators defense has been sturdy early on, allowing 16.0 points per game. As always, there’s talented from the defensive front seven to the secondary, but it’s not one of Florida’s most fearsome units they’ve ever fielded by any means. Kentucky, Colorado State and Tennessee all managed to find the endzone; the Vols scored three touchdowns. Mississippi State couldn’t even get seven.

Nick Fitzgerald hasn’t looked like the same quarterback that led the Bulldogs to eight wins last season, including a 37-7 upset of a talented LSU team. Whether it’s a slow recovery from injury or the new offense, the Bulldogs have a problem.