Texas Longhorns Face Mississippi State Amid Road Struggles

STARKVILLE, Mississippi — The No. 22 Texas Longhorns will clash with Mississippi State on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 4:15 p.m. ET. Coming off a shaky offensive performance that led to a narrow 16-13 overtime victory at Kentucky, Texas faces a crucial SEC matchup against the Bulldogs.

Texas, with a 5-2 record and 2-1 in SEC play, has struggled offensively, notably in recent road games. Quarterback Arch Manning‘s performance has been below expectations, with only 52.3% of his passes completed in away games against Ohio State, Florida, and Kentucky. The Longhorns’ offensive line issues have hindered their progress this season.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State (4-3, 0-3 SEC) is eager for a turnaround after starting the season strong but facing three consecutive losses. The Bulldogs’ last game resulted in a painful 23-21 defeat against Florida, highlighted by an interception that sealed their fate.

In their first matchup, Texas leads the all-time series against Mississippi State 3-2, winning decisively last season 35-13. The Longhorns’ defense has shown resilience, with sophomore edge rusher Colin Simmons making a significant impact by accumulating 5.5 sacks in his last two games.

Mississippi State, under second-year coach Jeff Lebby, relies heavily on their passing game. Quarterback Blake Shapen has shown potential but needs to perform consistently to balance their offense against a strong Texas defensive front. Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III are key players for the Bulldogs, contributing significantly to their receiving corps with a combined six touchdown receptions this year.

This weekend’s game will take place at Davis Wade Stadium, a venue known for its challenging environment. Texas hopes to correct their offensive struggles and take advantage of Mississippi State’s vulnerable defense to secure a much-needed win.

The Longhorns are determined to avoid costly mistakes that have hindered them in previous road games. They are aware that a victory is essential for maintaining their hopes in the competitive SEC standings.