Mississippi State will host No. 18 Texas at Davis Wade Stadium on October 25 in what has become a more favorable matchup for the Bulldogs as the season progresses. Despite their struggles, Mississippi State (4-3, 0-3 SEC) faces an opportunity against Texas (5-2, 2-1) due to ongoing offensive challenges for the Longhorns, particularly under first-time starting quarterback Arch Manning. Texas, after an impressive preseason ranking of No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, has faced setbacks, including losses to Ohio State and Florida and a narrow overtime victory against Kentucky.
Mississippi State, under second-year coach Jeff Lebby, is looking to rebound after three consecutive losses. Despite these setbacks, the Bulldogs have shown potential, having doubled their win total from the previous season and securing an upset over then-No. 10 Arizona State.
A crucial element for Mississippi State is the performance of their offensive line, especially following the return of right tackle Albert Reese IV from injury, which improved their blocking against Florida last week. On the defensive side, Mississippi State’s unit has been notably strong, allowing only 187.3 passing yards per game, ranking 30th nationally, and boasting 10 interceptions—tied for sixth nationally.
The matchup will see a clash of strengths, with Texas’s defense maintaining a dominant presence this season, marked by 21 sacks—tying them for fourth in the SEC—and giving up just 11.3 points per game. However, the absence of leading tackler, safety Michael Taaffe, could impact their performance.
While Texas has historically performed well in this area, their scoring has faltered in the latter part of the season, averaging 16.8 points in matchups against fellow power conference teams. Mississippi State’s offense has managed 22 points per game against similar opponents, showing signs of competitiveness.
The game carries additional weight for Mississippi State as they aim to snap a 15-game SEC losing streak. The predictions lean towards a low-scoring affair, with Texas expected to edge out Mississippi State 23-21, though the Bulldogs could potentially harness the momentum of their improved play to secure a victory.
Overall, the upcoming matchup presents an exciting opportunity for Mississippi State to turn their season around in front of the home crowd, and a close game could keep fans on the edge of their seats.