Longhorns host Bulldogs on Halloween

Texas football fans will head to Royal-Memorial Stadium on Halloween night with a clear goal: secure a win that keeps their College Football Playoff hopes alive. The Longhorns, currently No. 11, host Mississippi State at 6:45 p.m. Saturday. The game follows a 34-27 victory over Ole Miss last week, a result that pushed Texas past the Rebels in the Associated Press poll. For ordinary fans, the outcome determines whether the team enters November with momentum or another loss on the books.

The Bulldogs enter this matchup with a 4-3 record and a 2-3 mark in the SEC. Their season has taken a sharp turn after four straight opening wins. They have lost three games in a row, including a 23-15 defeat to Oklahoma last week. The damage is compounded by the loss of star quarterback Kamario Taylor. Head coach Jeff Lebby announced this week that Taylor will undergo surgery to repair a toe injury, ending his season.

Parker Puckett, a 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore, is expected to take the reins. Puckett, a former walk-on from Madison, Miss., has started playing most of the past two games. He has thrown for 368 yards on a 64.1% completion rate with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also has 101 rushing yards on 20 carries. If the coaching staff opts for a different plan, they could turn to AJ Swann, a transfer from Appalachian State.

Running back Fluff Bothwell will shoulder a heavier load on the ground. The junior has surpassed 100 yards in all four of his completed games. He has 514 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 91 carries for the season. Mississippi State runs the ball frequently, averaging 65.5 snaps per game with Puckett at the helm. This tempo places pressure on the Texas run defense, which allows 106 yards per game on the ground in SEC play.

Texas has its own roster questions. All-American left tackle Trevor Goosby underwent season-ending knee surgery this week. Quarterback Arch Manning, who threw for 212 yards and one touchdown against Ole Miss, will look to receiver Cam Coleman. Coleman returned to practice this week after leaving last week's game with a shoulder issue. On the offensive line, the loss of All-American edge rusher Colin Simmons, who is out with an ankle injury, opens the door for Lance Jackson to make plays. Jackson has one sack this season.

The betting markets reflect the disparity. Texas is favored by 20.5 points, with the over/under set at 50.5 total points. The odds for Texas winning are listed at -1450, while Mississippi State sits at +850. Historically, Texas holds the advantage in this series, leading 4-2 all-time. The most recent meeting in October 2025 ended with a 45-38 Texas victory in overtime.

Mississippi State has turned the ball over 10 times this season, the third-highest number in the SEC. A Texas defense that forced three interceptions against Ole Miss last week is positioned to add to its eight total takeaways. The weather forecast calls for early morning showers that should clear by kickoff. Temperatures will hover between 70 and 80 degrees, so fans should bring light rain gear just in case. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Texas has won 23 of its last 25 home games since 2023. The Longhorns are trying to avoid the trap of playing down to lesser competition. A win on Saturday keeps the season alive before difficult road tests against Missouri and LSU in November. The ball will be kicked off in the Austin air, with the home crowd expecting a decisive performance against an unranked opponent missing its leader.