Line: Florida by 7 1/2.
Series Record: Florida leads 33-18-2.
Last Meeting: 2009, Florida 29-19.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Maybe the sanity of Florida fans, who expressed their disproval with offensive coordinator Steve Addazio's play-calling and the team's lack of production in last week's 33-29 loss to LSU. How will they react to another lackluster performance? On homecoming?
KEY MATCHUP
Florida's defense vs. RB Vick Ballard. After giving up 244 yards rushing to South Florida, the Gators thought they had the problems fixed against Tennessee and Kentucky. Alabama and LSU proved otherwise. The Crimson Tide ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns against Florida, then the Tigers tallied 161 yards and two scores on the ground. Ballard has 253 yards rushing and six TDs the last two games, and leads the SEC in scoring.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi State: WR Chad Bumphis, who does a little bit of everything for the Bulldogs. Bumphis leads the team with 32 catches for 431 yards and four TDs, and has nine carries, nine punt returns and four kickoff returns.
Florida: RB Mack Brown, who posted on Facebook this week that he's finally going to get a chance to play. One of the team's prized freshmen, Brown has sat out three of the last four games. He could fill in for starter Jeff Demps (foot) and backup Mike Gillislee (ankle).
FACTS & FIGURES
Although Mississippi State has won three of the last seven meetings, all of the victories came at home. The Bulldogs have dropped 16 in a row in Gainesville, with their last win coming in 1965. ... Mississippi State is 0-2 against Top 25 teams this season. ... Dan Mullen spent 10 years on the same staff as Florida coach Urban Meyer, working together at Notre Dame and then following Meyer to Bowling Green (2001-02), Utah (2003-04) and Florida (2005-08). Mississippi State's John Hevesy and Matt Balis also worked for Meyer. ... The Gators have won 21 consecutive homecoming games. ... Meyer is 11-9 against teams from the SEC West, including three consecutive losses. ... The Gators could be without SS Matt Elam because of a concussion.
