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Gophers preview vs. Mississippi State: SEC opponent is early litmus test
Mississippi State’s fast tempo and dual-threat quarterback Kamario Taylor will test whether Minnesota can match SEC speed and execution.
On Saturday at 2:30 p.m., Minnesota hosts Mississippi State at Huntington Bank Stadium in a nonconference matchup between two undefeated teams coming off lopsided season-opening wins.
Mississippi State enters the contest after a 62-13 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, where quarterback Kamario Taylor set a program record of 762 yards of offense; Minnesota began with a 59-7 win against Eastern Illinois.
Defensive discipline remains a priority as Minnesota defensive coordinator Danny Collins prepares for the Bulldogs' rapid offense, focusing on the critical matchup between linebacker Maverick Baranowski and Taylor.
Both quarterbacks—Minnesota's Drake Lindsey and Taylor—are viewed as NFL draft prospects, intensifying the tactical stakes as Lindsey faces an aggressive defensive scheme from Bulldogs coordinator Zach Arnett.
This contest marks the first meeting between these programs. Minnesota holds a 10-10-1 record against Southeastern Conference opponents, with its most recent victory over an SEC team coming in the 2020 Outback Bowl.