FBS-CFB Game Preview: Texas Longhorns (5-2) vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-3)

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Venue & Game Info

Stadium: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Starkville, MS

Kickoff: 4:15 PM ET (3:15 PM CT local)

Broadcast: SEC Network

Weather Forecast: Clear skies, 71°F at kickoff, light winds (5–8 mph), no precipitation expected.

Team Recent Form

Texas Longhorns:

Last game: 16-13 win vs. Kentucky

Offense: 26.7 PPG, 368.1 YPG (218.7 pass, 149.4 rush)

Defense: 11.3 PPG allowed (3rd nationally), 279.7 YPG allowed (13th)

Strength: Elite defense, especially against the run (83.3 YPG allowed, 6th).

Mississippi State Bulldogs:

Last game: 23-21 loss vs. Florida

Offense: 31.9 PPG, 405.9 YPG (227.7 pass, 178.1 rush)

Defense: 20.3 PPG allowed, 351.3 YPG allowed

Strength: Balanced offense, opportunistic defense (+5 turnover margin).

Injury Report

Texas: No major injuries reported.

Mississippi State: No significant absences; RB Davon Booth (105 yards, 2 TD vs. Florida) expected to play.

Key Player Matchups

QB Arch Manning (TEX): 1,449 yards, 12 TD, 5 INT, plus 193 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs.

RB Quintrevion Wisner (TEX): 222 yards, 2 TD – scored game-winner vs. Kentucky.

WR Ryan Wingo (TEX): 320 yards, 4 TD – top receiving option.

QB Blake Shapen (MSU): 1,528 yards, 9 TD, 5 INT, 66.7% completion.

RB Davon Booth (MSU): 465 yards, 6 TD – workhorse back.

WR Brenen Thompson (MSU): 533 yards, 4 TD – explosive deep threat.

Series History

Texas leads the all-time series 3–2.

Last meeting: Texas won 35-13 in 2024.

At Starkville: Mississippi State has won 2 of last 3.

Betting Trends

Texas: 2-5 ATS this season; 1-3 ATS as 7+ point favorite.

Mississippi State: 6-1 ATS; 2-1 ATS as 7+ point underdog.

Totals: Texas games 2-5 O/U; Mississippi State games 2-5 O/U.

Historical Betting Results: Texas covered last year’s 35-13 win; Mississippi State has covered in 6 of 7 this season.

Projection: Texas 23 – Mississippi State 20

Game Odds

Texas Longhorns                               – 7.5

Mississippi State Bulldogs           46

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 24, 2025

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NCAAFB Editor
Profile: A dedicated college football analyst with a deep understanding of the sport’s tactical complexity, recruiting landscape, and conference‑wide dynamics. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage of the NCAA football season, blending film study, statistical insight, and historical context to explain how programs evolve from Week 1 through bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Background: With extensive experience covering Division I football, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on coaching trends, roster construction, and player development. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking long‑term program trajectories across all major conferences. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and tactical matchups Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Recruiting analysis, transfer‑portal movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, scheme evolution, and conference‑wide trends Historical context, rivalry features, and postseason analysis Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes, advanced metrics, and recruiting data into insights that resonate with both long‑time college football fans and new followers of the sport. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the tradition, passion, and unpredictability that define NCAA football.