Mississippi St. Bulldogs vs
Texas LonghornsPredictions & Preview

Texas Longhorns Prepare to Take on Mississippi State in First SEC Match-up of the Season - Can They Keep Their Undefeated Streak Alive?

This content discusses the upcoming college football game between top-ranked Texas and Mississippi State, which will be the Longhorns' first SEC match-up of the season. Texas is currently undefeated with a 4-0 record, while Mississippi State has a 1-3 record. Despite being the betting favorite with a -38.5 spread, Texas will face a tough challenge against Mississippi State in this Saturday afternoon game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bulldogs -833 | Longhorns +780
• Spread: Bulldogs +38.5 (-110) | Longhorns -38.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 62.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Texas will win straight-up is 89%.

Mississippi St. vs Texas Stats

Mississippi St. Bulldogs

Mississippi State Bulldogs are entering their upcoming game on a three-game losing streak. Their defense has struggled, allowing over 40 points in each of their last two games. They gave up 503 total yards and 27 first downs in their recent loss to Florida. Despite this, safety Isaac Smith leads the SEC with 51 tackles. Quarterback Blake Shapen is out for the season due to a shoulder injury. The team has had success with their running game, totaling 240 rushing yards in their last game. Head coach Jeff Lebby remains committed to fixing their issues. Several key players are listed on the injury report. In terms of power rankings, the Bulldogs rank 57th in offense, 91st in defense, and have a record of 1-3 this season.

Texas Longhorns Analysis

The Texas Longhorns have had a dominant start to their season, winning their non-conference games by an average of 42 points per game. The offense has been particularly strong, ranking 11th in the country with 47.5 points per game and producing over 500 total yards of offense per game. Starting QB Quinn Ewers is questionable for the upcoming game due to a strained oblique, with freshman Arch Manning poised to step in if needed. Manning has shown promise, throwing seven touchdowns so far this season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has praised Manning's deep-ball throwing ability but notes a desire for more balance in his completion percentage. On the defensive side, the Longhorns have been stingy, allowing just 5.5 points per game and ranking fifth in total yards allowed and eighth in passing yards allowed per game. The team's injury report includes several key players, including Ewers and running backs CJ Clark and Christian Baxter. Texas currently holds a power ranking of 2 and is ranked #10 for offense and #6 for defense. Their upcoming matchup against Mississippi State will be an interesting test, with the Bulldogs having a recent winning record against the Longhorns.

Bulldogs vs. Longhorns: Freshman QB debuts as historic series tied 2-2

The upcoming matchup between these two programs marks their fifth meeting, with the last encounter dating back to 1999 in the Cotton Bowl. The series stands even with both sides securing two wins apiece. Freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren will be making his debut start for the Bulldogs amidst a boisterous crowd of over 100,000 Longhorn fans. Reports indicate that there is a possibility of Ewers returning for this game after making progress in early week practices, as suggested by Sarkisian. This game serves as the team’s inaugural SEC game, presenting an opportunity to make a significant statement. Having QB #1 back in the lineup will greatly enhance their chances of success. While Manning showed promise against a weaker UL Monroe defense, having the best play caller on the field is in the Longhorns' best interest. The team is poised to maintain their impressive performance and begin their journey in the new conference with a strong start. Consider selecting the Longhorns to cover the spread in this game.

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