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Kamario Taylor injury presents LSU, Lane Kiffin a layup they can't afford to miss in CFP chase

LSU’s playoff hopes received a critical boost Friday when Mississippi State’s top offensive weapons, quarterback Kamario Taylor and running back Fluff Bothwell, were listed as doubtful for the Tigers’ SEC matchup. With Taylor—who leads the nation in total offense per game at 321.8 yards—sidelined by a foot injury sustained against Alabama, and Bothwell also out, the Bulldogs’ offensive firepower is significantly diminished.

The absence has already shifted the odds in LSU’s favor, with the Tigers now favored by 17 points over Mississippi State, up from 10.5 earlier in the week.

The setback comes at a pivotal moment for Lane Kiffin’s LSU program, which has stumbled to a 4-2 start and faces a grueling stretch against Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee. While the Tigers would need to finish 10-2 to secure a College Football Playoff spot, projections suggest a 9-3 record could still yield an 84.9% chance of playoff consideration—provided they capitalize on this opportunity.

The win against Mississippi State would mark a turning point for a team searching for momentum after early-season road losses to Ole Miss and Kentucky.

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