Mississippi State will face off against No. 1 Texas in a highly anticipated matchup this Saturday at 4:15 pm ET. Texas is favored by 38 1/2 points according to BetMGM College Football Odds. This game marks Texas’ first appearance in the SEC, and they aim to assert their dominance as the top-ranked team in their conference debut. Coach Steve Sarkisian faces a decision between starting injured quarterback Quinn Ewers or giving Arch Manning his second consecutive start.

A key matchup to watch is Mississippi State’s defensive line trying to contain Texas running back Jaydon Blue, following a series of struggles defending the run in previous games. Blue impressed in Texas’ last game against Louisiana-Monroe with 124 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren will lead Mississippi State’s offense, filling in for the injured Blake Shapen, against a stout Texas defense that has only allowed two touchdowns and 22 points all season.

Texas boasts standout linebackers Anthony Hill Jr. and Liona Lefau, who have been playmakers on defense with multiple sacks and interceptions. The Longhorns’ defense ranks first in scoring defense nationally and fifth overall. They lead the SEC with seven interceptions this season. Mississippi State enters the game on a streak of scoring in 48 consecutive games dating back to October 21, 2020.

Football fans are eagerly anticipating this clash between Mississippi State and top-ranked Texas, with both teams looking to make a statement in this pivotal matchup. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting game as these teams battle it out on the field.