The Mississippi State Bulldogs travel to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns in what looks like a David vs. Goliath matchup on paper. Texas enters the game unbeaten at 4-0, coming off a dominant 51-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Mississippi State, on the other hand, is struggling with a 1-3 record after losing three consecutive games, including a 45-28 defeat against Florida. Mississippi State has struggled defensively, giving up an average of 32.3 points per game this season. Quarterback Blake Shapen has been solid, throwing for 974 yards and eight touchdowns, but the Bulldogs’ defense hasn’t been able to stop much. Running back Johnnie Daniels leads the ground attack with 158 rushing yards, but the Bulldogs lack explosiveness on offense, particularly when facing top-tier opponents like Texas.

Texas, meanwhile, has been dominant on both sides of the ball. Even with quarterback Quinn Ewers dealing with injuries, backup Arch Manning has stepped in seamlessly, throwing for 576 yards and seven touchdowns. The Longhorns’ balanced offense features running back Jerrick Gibson, who has rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns, and a talented receiving corps led by Isaiah Bond, who has 290 yards and three touchdowns. The key to this game will be Texas’ defense, which has allowed just 11.5 points per game and recorded seven interceptions. Mississippi State’s offense will struggle to keep pace if Texas can generate early turnovers and maintain pressure. With Texas favored by 38.5 points, this game could turn into another blowout if the Longhorns’ offense continues its high-scoring ways.