Will Mississippi State beat Missouri with either Blake Shapen or Kamario Taylor at QB? Our prediction
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football’s Week 12 game at Missouri could feature both teams starting backup quarterbacks.
The Bulldogs (5-5, 1-5 SEC) are playing at the No. 24 Tigers (6-3, 2-3) on Nov. 15 (6:45 p.m., SEC Network).
An injury to MSU starting quarterback Blake Shapen has his availability for the game in question. He missed the team’s Monday practice and was probable on the initial injury report. Freshman Kamario Taylor would be the starter if Shapen doesn’t play. Missouri is expected to start third-string quarterback Matt Zollers.
A win for Mississippi State would clinch bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022.
Here is our score prediction for the game.
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Mississippi State vs Missouri prediction
With both teams potentially starting true freshman quarterbacks, this could be a low-scoring game. Mississippi State and Missouri both could look to run the ball a lot. Missouri leads the SEC with 232.3 rushing yards per game.
A big question for this game will be Missouri’s motivation. The Tigers had goals of making the College Football Playoff, but the loss to Texas A&M on Nov. 8 essentially eliminated them from contention. It’s senior day, but was the Texas A&M loss a backbreaker? Missouri hasn’t beaten a team with a winning record this season.
Mississippi State vs Missouri scouting report
Why Mississippi State has an advantage: Taylor could be a big spark for Mississippi State’s offense if he’s the starter. He offers a different playing style as Shapen with his running ability. Taylor has scored five touchdowns in the last two games.
The Mississippi State offense is at its best when it can run the ball and connect on deep passes. Wide receiver Brenen Thompson leads the SEC in receiving yards with 808, while Anthony Evans III is sixth at 680 yards.
MSU is 14th in the SEC in scoring defense but is fourth in turnovers with 15.
Why Missouri has an advantage: Missouri has Ahmad Hardy, a Mississippi native who leads the SEC and is third nationally with 1,046 rushing yards. Jamal Roberts is also a factor in Missouri’s running game and had 110 rushing yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M.
Missouri is fifth in the SEC with 19.1 points allowed per game. The Tigers’ 162.7 passing yards allowed per game is best in the conference. Damon Wilson II has 6.5 sacks this season with Zion Young not far behind with five sacks.
Kevin Coleman Jr., who transferred from Mississippi State, is Missouri’s leading receiver with 52 receptions, 559 yards and one touchdown.
Mississippi State vs Missouri injury report
SEC availability report as of Nov. 12:
Mississippi State
- DL Will Whitson: Out
- OL Blake Steen: Out
- S Isaac Smith: Out
- CB Jett Jefferson: Out
- OL Brennan Smith: Out
- QB Blake Shapen: Probable
- OL Albert Reese IV: Probable
Missouri
- DE Langden Kitchen: Out
- K Blake Craig: Out
- QB Sam Horn: Out
- QB Beau Pribula: Doubtful
- TE Brett Norfleet: Questionable
Mississippi State vs Missouri score prediction
Missouri 27, Mississippi State 26: I ponder Missouri’s motivation in this game and think MSU has a good chance to win, but the Tigers’ running backs will be too difficult to contain.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football vs Missouri prediction for Week 12 SEC game
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