*****GAME THREAD: No. 22 Texas Longhorns @Mississippi State Bulldogs*****

[HornSports Staff]

The Texas Longhorns are in Starkville to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 3:15 PM CST today in an important SEC game for both teams. Texas sits at 5-2 on the season and No. 22 nationally, while Mississippi State is at 4-3 and is still searching for its first SEC win in nearly two years. The game will feature two quarterbacks who come from completely different worlds: Arch Manning, the sophomore star behind Texas’s offense, and Blake Shapen, an experienced transfer from Baylor who hopes to spark a Bulldogs resurgence following a series of tight conference games.

Manning, who has thrown for 1,449 yards with 12 touchdowns and run for five more, is still the pillar of Texas’ offense. His leadership and decision-making will prove critical against a Mississippi State defense that leads the SEC with 10 interceptions but has struggled to halt the run. Texas, contending with lingering running back injuries and leaning heavily on hopeful offensive line play, needs to control possession and prevent turnovers in the hostile atmosphere of Davis Wade Stadium. If Manning can simply spread the ball out to receivers like Ryan Wingo, Deandre Moore, and Parker Livingstone, the Longhorns have a good chance of controlling the tempo.

For Mississippi State, the performance hinges on how well Shapen will handle Texas’ defensive line, while also taking calculated shots downfield. The Bulldogs’ receiving corps, led by former Longhorn Brenen Thompson, and potentially the return of running back Fluff Bothwell, could give life to their offense. To complete the upset, Mississippi State will need to win the turnover battle, keep Shapen upright, and take advantage of red-zone opportunities — a constant weakness so far this year of Jeff Lebby’s squad. Meanwhile, Texas must maintain defensive discipline without starting safety Michael Taaffe and will need Arch Manning’s poise to put an end to a rowdy crowd in Starkville and sustain its hopes for a championship in the SEC.

What: No. 22 Texas Longhorns vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
When: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 3:15 pm CST
Venue: Davis Wade Stadium
Location: Starkville, MS
TV: SEC Network
Listen: Texas Lean Player
Spread: Texas -7.5 (FanDuel)

 

[UT1983]

Texas!

 

[PTA]

Fight!!

 

[Sunkist]

Let’s be nice today

 

[Baron]

Miss St has lost three in a row. I guess we get to play another desperate team on the road again. The football gods have not been good to Texas this year. Miss St has only beaten one team with a pulse this year. The rest of their wins are against inferior competition.

 

[63_Texas_1]

Horn fans, I'm leaving it in your hands. I'm going fishing on a beautiful, calm day.

 

[UT1983]

Missing the game as well. In Guadalajara. Sunny skies. Mid 80’s.

 

[UTfish]

Well that was scary. Scoring in 2 plays

 

[Ntx dog]

From good to ugly

 

[Sirhornsalot]

3rd and 2 and we pass

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Defense is stopping the run really well

 

[Ntx dog]

3rd down woes continues.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Solid ST play there

 

[Ntx dog]

Offense looks like sheet again

 

[Sunkist]

Arch is such a terrible passer

 

[Ntx dog]

Whats the total yards minus Wingo's play ?

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Uggh

 

[UTfish]

Welp, back to the new normal.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

no protection

 

[Sirhornsalot]

We abandon the running game at our own peril. And it makes me sick.