Mississippi State entered the Egg Bowl with a clear plan, but the biggest shock of the night had nothing to do with Ole Miss. Quarterback Blake Shapen did not take the field, and the sudden change triggered a wave of anger across the betting world.
Sportsbooks and fantasy platforms were hit with immediate backlash as fans claimed they were given no warning that Shapen would not start. Shapen had been the expected starter throughout the week.
He has carried the bulk of Mississippi State’s offense this season, throwing for more than two thousand yards and operating as the team’s primary passer. Nothing from the program hinted at a late switch.
So when he stayed on the sideline during the opening drive, fans who locked in wagers early felt blindsided.
“@Underdog how the f**k did you have Blake Shapen available to bet until kickoff and he’s not even the starter? How awful are you guys?” a fan wrote.
@Underdog how the fuck did you have Blake Shapen available to bet until kickoff and he’s not even the starter? How awful are you guys?
— alabama fan (@rolllllltideee) November 28, 2025
“@FanDuelSN_Help why was able to select Blake Shapen and he’s not even starting,” a fan wrote.
“@PrizePicks cmon na Blake shapen no playing this game DNP him,” a fan wrote.
“WTF how we don’t find out Blake Shapen wasnt starting until the game started,” a fan wrote.
“@DKSportsbook if Blake shapen wasn’t playing why was he the only option for a prop on your card. Void his leg like other sports books. He will come in late to run the clock out and that isn’t ethical,” a fan wrote.
“@Underdog yall are so a**, yall had Blake shapen on the board full passing yards and not starting he better be a void bc he not FUCKING PLAYING,” a fan wrote.
Many bettors argued that the books either missed the development or ignored it entirely. As the news spread, social media was filled with calls for accountability and claims that the platforms failed to protect users from unexpected lineup changes.
Who Replaced Blake Shapen?
With Shapen unavailable, quarterback Kamario Taylor stepped in as the starter. Taylor has been the primary backup this season and has seen scattered playing time in relief. Although he lacks Shapen’s experience and game management, his strengths are mobility and improvisation.
The matchup placed heavy pressure on Taylor. Ole Miss entered the Egg Bowl with one of the most aggressive defenses in the SEC, and the Rebels were expected to attack a young quarterback from the opening snap.
Shapen’s absence also added another layer to an already high-stakes rivalry game. Mississippi State came into the matchup needing a strong performance to steady a shaky season. Ole Miss, meanwhile, pushed the tempo early and tried to capitalize on the disruption.
With over three minutes to go in the second quarter, the Rebels had a 14-7 lead over Mississippi.
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