Texas Longhorns rolling into long-awaited SEC debut against Mississippi State. | iNFOnews.ca
Texas running back Jaydon Blue (23) runs past Louisiana-Monroe defensive back Wydett Williams Jr. (12) and other defenders during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas Longhorns rolling into long-awaited SEC debut against Mississippi State.

Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC) at No. 1 Texas (4-0, 0-0), Saturday, 4:15 pm ET (SEC Network)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Texas by 38 1/2.

Series record: 2-2.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Texas makes its long-awaited SEC debut against a Bulldogs team that is beaten up and struggling under first-year coach Jeff Lebby. The Longhorns will be looking to make a statement worthy of No. 1 in its first SEC game. Coach Steve Sarkisian must decide if injured quarterback Quinn Ewers is healthy enough to play or start Arch Manning for a second consecutive game.

Texas Longhorns rolling into long-awaited SEC debut against Mississippi State. | iNFOnews.ca
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) throws a pass against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. Florida won 45-28. (AP Photo/James Pugh)

KEY MATCHUP

Mississippi State’s defensive line vs Texas running back Jaydon Blue. The Bulldogs surrendered a whopping 262 yards rushing to Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, and 226 yards last week against Florida. Blue had a career game for Texas against Louisiana-Monroe last week with 124 yards rushing four total touchdowns.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mississippi State: Freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren will start in front of a road crowd of more than 100,000 against a Texas defense that has given up just two touchdowns and 22 total points this season. Van Buren is 7-of-13 passing for 100 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in two appearances. Regular starter Blake Shapen was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.

Texas: Linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau have become the Longhorns’ all-around playmakers on defense Hill is Texas’ leading tackler and has two sacks and an interception. Lefau also has two sacks and recorded a safety last week. Look for Texas to unleash both as blitz pass rushers on Van Buren.

FACTS & FIGURES

Texas ranks No. 1 nationally in scoring defense and No. 5 in overall defense … The Longhorns have seven interceptions this season, best in the SEC … Mississippi State has scored in 48 consecutive games dating to Oct. 21, 2020.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles