It’ll be Bulldogs squared this Saturday when Georgia travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State at noon. Mississippi State is coming off their first SEC win since 2023, a 38-35 win over Arkansas that snapped a 15-game conference losing streak.
It was a huge win for the program that came with plenty of drama. Mississippi State trailed 13 to 7 at halftime, and starting quarterback Blake Shapen took a hard hit on the first play of the second half that knocked him out of the game.
True freshman Kamario Taylor entered the game and hit former Georgia receiver Anthony Evans III for a 45-yard touchdown pass three plays later to take a 14-13 lead. On Mississippi State’s next drive, he kept it himself for a 20-yard touchdown run.
Shapen re-entered the game and threw an interception on his first pass back, but rebounded and led Mississippi State on a 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter. He found Evans on fourth down for the game-winning touchdown with under a minute remaining.
The veteran finished his day completing 16 of 28 passes for 242 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
The emotional win, and the performances of the two Mississippi State quarterbacks therein, has of course raised the question in Starkville, is there a quarterback controversy?
Georgia could face multiple QBs vs Mississippi State
Shapen is the experienced veteran who led the comeback. He was clutch with his back against the wall and hit some huge throws under pressure. But Taylor provided a spark when they needed it, and has some serious athletic upside that Shapen can’t offer.
Suffice it to say, there are multiple quarterbacks Georgia should be preparing for this week. Kirby Smart was asked Monday if Georgia was using a scout team quarterback to try and simulate Taylor’s game.
“No, we don’t have anybody to simulate that,” Smart said via 247sports.com. “He’s big, talented, athletic. … He’s a very bright talent, and he’s a good football player. I don’t know that you can simulate it. You do the best job you can, and you prepare.”
Smart also said that Mississippi State has a package where they use Shapen and Taylor at the same time, which “creates its own issues.” Mobile quarterbacks have given Georgia some problems this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mississippi State try and take advantage of Taylor’s athleticism.
Shapen is still the unquestioned starter, but after a flash like that from the freshman many expect to take over the program one day, there’s reason to expect Taylor’s role to increase.
And riding off your first conference win in two years, a home matchup against a high profile opponent with a struggling defense may just be the time to see if he can make some more plays.