The Oklahoma Sooners' trip to Starkville to take on Mississippi State is expected to be another significant test for the defense, especially with Kamario Taylor trending toward playing on Saturday.

According to On3's Pete Nakos, the breakout quarterback in 2026 is "trending in the right direction" ahead of Saturday's SEC showdown, giving the contest a completely different complexion.

Without Taylor in Week 7, the Bulldogs were shut out at LSU. With Taylor at the helm, Mississippi State was 4-1 and averaged 39 points per game.

He's completed 66.2% of his passes for 290 passing yards per game, 17 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. He's also run for 159 yards (208 yards without sacks included) and a touchdown.

Taylor is a complete quarterback who can hurt teams through the air and on the ground. He's been battling a lower-body injury since the Alabama game. In the loss to the Crimson Tide, his mobility was limited, but he was still effective as a passer.

How he moves will significantly affect what the Bulldogs want to do offensively. If limited, it takes away a threat in the run game for the Oklahoma Sooners' defense to deal with.

Still, his ability to throw the ball and put points on the board could put pressure on Oklahoma's offense to try and keep up.

We'll see what his injury designation is on the Friday and game-day availability reports, but it looks like the Sooners will have to face one of the best quarterbacks in college football on Saturday in Starkville.