Texas Football: 31-3 Win Over Mississippi State

Thirty-one. That was the final score for the No. 11 Texas Longhorns in their home victory over Mississippi State on Saturday night at Royal-Memorial Stadium. The Longhorns, who entered the game as 20.5-point favorites, closed out the contest with a 31-3 lead. The performance offered a stark contrast to recent weeks, which included a walk-off loss to Oklahoma and a collapse against Florida. This time, the offense moved the ball efficiently, and the defense controlled the tempo without the usual late-game tension.

The road to this week began with a series of defensive struggles for the Longhorns. On October 17, the team fell to Florida after its defense, as head coach Steve Sarkisian noted, "bled out" in the final stretch. That loss followed a stunning defeat to Oklahoma and a narrow escape against Ole Miss. Saturday's game served as a reset. The Longhorns, now 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, displayed stability on both sides of the ball. There were no blown leads and no critical errors from the quarterback.

The defensive line dominated the middle of the field. Texas held Mississippi State to just 68 rushing yards on 41 carries. The defense forced seven sacks and produced a touchdown of its own. Maraad Watson, a 333-pound nose tackle, scooped up a fumble and returned it 61 yards for a score. This play highlighted the depth of the interior line, a unit led by fifth-year player Hero Kanu. The interior group has emerged as a clear strength for the program.

Linebacker Rasheem Biles continued to build a case for All-American honors. He recorded eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Late in the first half, Biles stripped Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann, who was subsequently removed from the game. Biles is 6-foot-1 and weighs 222 pounds. His performance suggests he is playing at a level that could place him in first-round contention for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Quarterback Arch Manning completed 16 of his 20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception. Manning was sacked four times and carried the ball 12 times through the first three quarters, matching the total carries of all Texas running backs combined. He bled from his right hand and was seen limping to the sideline after several carries. None of his runs covered more than 12 yards. Coach Sarkisian emphasized that he wants Manning's legs to be a threat, but the physical toll is mounting.

Injuries are accumulating for the Longhorns. All-American candidate Trevor Goosby is out for the season with a knee injury. Star edge rusher Colin Simmons missed his second consecutive game due to an ankle issue. Receiver Cam Coleman left the game in the first half, and elite slot cornerback Graceson Littleton exited the game and did not return. The team faces two ranked opponents on the road over the next two weeks. This schedule makes the healing process a priority during this week of practice.

The Longhorns will travel to Columbia, Missouri, next Saturday at 11 a.m. to face the No. 23 Missouri Tigers. The Tigers are 6-2, mirroring Texas's record, after defeating Arkansas 34-10 on Saturday. The College Football Playoff will release its initial rankings on Tuesday. This announcement will determine the Longhorns' current standing in the playoff picture before they begin their road trip.