LSU badly needs a win against No. 16 Mississippi State to remain in the College Football Playoff race.
And the No. 22 Tigers might not face the Bulldogs’ best player in that game.
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor was listed as “doubtful” in the Southeastern Conference’s availability report released Friday night. That’s a downgrade from Taylor’s “questionable” status on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Bulldogs also listed running back Fluff Bothwell, their leading rusher, doubtful for Saturday’s contest, as well. LSU classified reserve linebacker Tylen Singleton as doubtful, but the Tigers had no other unexpected players listed.
ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel said before the SEC’s latest update that Taylor is not expected to play Saturday in an 11 a.m. kickoff. Taylor has reportedly been dealing with a turf toe injury that predates the Bulldogs’ last game on Oct. 3 against Alabama, which the quarterback exited early.
Through five games, Taylor has 1,450 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions; he has also run for 159 yards on the season.
If Taylor doesn’t play, Mississippi State will likely turn to Parker “Billy” Puckett, who has completed 8 of 14 passes for 89 yards on the season. The 6-foot, 180-pound redshirt freshman has run for 24 yards on two carries.
Along with Puckett, the Bulldogs have former LSU, Vanderbilt and App State quarterback AJ Swann on their roster. Mississippi State also has Jaden Rashada, the former Florida recruit who played for Arizona State and Sacramento State.
LSU (4-2, 1-2 SEC) is coming off a road loss to Kentucky, 35-34, in overtime. After the Mississippi State contest, the Tigers have a road game at Auburn ahead of a bye week, which could allow time for tight end Trey’Dez Green to return Nov. 7 versus Alabama; there is also a chance linebacker Whit Weeks could return at some point.
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