The Florida Gators return to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 18, 2025, seeking to restore momentum and reassert themselves as a legitimate contender within the SEC after an up-and-down start to the season. Under head coach Billy Napier, Florida has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to consistently put together a complete performance against conference opponents, something they’ll desperately need to correct when facing a surging Mississippi State squad. The Gators’ offensive identity continues to revolve around a balanced approach that relies on establishing the ground game early and using play-action to stretch defenses vertically. Quarterback Graham Mertz has been efficient when given time to operate, displaying improved pocket awareness and accuracy in the intermediate passing game. His connection with wideouts Eugene Wilson III and Marcus Burke has provided Florida with explosiveness on the perimeter, while tight end Arlis Boardingham has become a reliable red-zone target who can win physical matchups against linebackers. The heart of Florida’s offense, however, remains its running back duo of Montrell Johnson Jr. and Trevor Etienne, who combine speed, vision, and power to form one of the most effective backfields in the SEC. Behind an offensive line that’s been solid in run blocking but occasionally shaky in pass protection, their ability to dictate tempo and keep Mississippi State’s aggressive front seven honest will be crucial.

Defensively, the Gators must lean on their athleticism and depth to contain a Mississippi State offense that thrives on spreading the field and forcing defenders into space. Florida’s front, led by Princely Umanmielen and Tyreak Sapp, must win at the point of attack and collapse pockets quickly to disrupt quarterback Chris Parson’s rhythm. Linebackers Shemar James and Scooby Williams will need to play disciplined football, reading misdirection and reacting quickly to the Bulldogs’ tempo-driven attack. In the secondary, Florida has the talent to limit big plays, with Jason Marshall Jr. anchoring the cornerback group and safety Jordan Castell providing range and physicality on the back end. The Gators’ defense has been strong in spurts this season, ranking near the top of the SEC in third-down stops and red-zone efficiency, but lapses in tackling and coverage breakdowns have occasionally cost them. If they can play with sustained focus and force Mississippi State into predictable passing situations, they’ll have opportunities to generate takeaways and flip the game’s momentum. Special teams, often overlooked, could prove decisive—kicker Trey Smack has been reliable from distance, and the return units have the potential to tilt field position. For Florida, this matchup is about execution and discipline; playing at home gives them an advantage, but they must limit turnovers and mental errors that have plagued them in previous weeks. If the Gators’ offense can sustain drives and the defense dictates tempo early, Florida should be positioned to deliver a strong performance in front of a raucous Gainesville crowd and take a meaningful step toward steadying their season in the SEC.