After a reality check loss against Texas A&M a week ago, the Florida Gators are back in Gainesville to host the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday.
The Orange and Blue sit at 2-4 overall heading into Week 8, making Saturday’s 4:15 p.m. ET contest a must-win for the Gators. A loss likely means the immediate dismissal of head coach Billy Napier and the start of yet another rebuilding phase for the program. The good news is that MSU is far from the toughest competition Florida faces this season.
All four of Florida’s losses have come against ranked opponents. Miami is ranked No. 2, although the Hurricanes will drop after losing to Louisville. Texas A&M is ranked No. 4, LSU is No. 10 and South Florida has crept back into the US LBM Coaches Poll Top 25 at No. 23 this week. Three of those losses fall on the offense, or lack thereof.
Last week’s loss is on the defense, however. The Aggies ran roughshod over the Gators’ front seven, averaging nearly five yards per carry on first down alone. Texas A&M controlled the clock, and one stop was enough to start the snowball effect that eventually grew into a 34-17 loss.
Mississippi State presents less of a challenge, and Napier’s teams tend to do better on their home turf. With DJ Lagway returning to form, and various weapons around him — Jadan Baugh, Ventrell Brown III and Dallas Wilson — the Gators should score just fine this week.
Stream Florida vs Mississippi State with FREE Fubo trial
What channel is Florida vs Mississippi State on today?
- TV Channel: SEC Network
- Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Florida vs Mississippi State will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network in Week 8 of the 2025 college football season. Dave Neal and Fozzy Whitaker will call the game from the booth at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, with Morgan Uber reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers
Florida vs Mississippi State time today
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
- Start time: 4:15 p.m. ET
The Florida vs Mississippi State game starts at 4:15 p.m. ET from inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Florida vs Mississippi State betting odds for Week 8
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 17
- Moneyline: +280 / -350
- Spread: Florida by 9.5
- Over/under: 51.5
Watch Florida vs Mississippi State on Fubo with FREE trial
Florida vs. Mississippi State predictions, picks for Week 8
“The Bulldogs are not at the same level as either of the Texas teams Napier and Co. have faced so far, and with the home crowd behind them, I expect the Orange and Blue to cruise to victory.” — Adam Dubbin
PREDICTION: Florida 34, Miss. St. 13
“Play calling needs to change, yes, but winning at the line of scrimmage is more important. The Gators will get it done this week and DJ Lagway is going to explode. He’s ready.” — David Rosenberg
PREDICTION: Florida 31, MSU 17
“Florida’s defense should be able to pressure Mississippi State just enough to swing a few key drives. It’s not a blowout, but Florida finds a way to finish this one and get back on track.” — Aidan Gallardo
PREDICTION: Florida 27, Mississippi State 21
Read Gators Wire’s full Week 8 predictions
Florida vs Mississippi State game notes
- Florida is coming off its first four-game stretch against four top-10 opponents in team history, as the Gators became the first team in college football to do so since Northwestern and Illinois in 1968;
- Three of Florida’s remaining five games after Week 8 are against AP Top-11 opponents;
- Week 8 marks the 57th meeting between Florida and Mississippi State, including the 29th matchup in Gainesville;
- Florida has won two games in a row vs. the Bulldogs after a 45-28 win in Starkville on Sept. 21 of last season, featuring wins in 16 of the last 17 in Gainesville.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Gators vs. Miss. State Bulldogs: drive-by-drive updates, recap
