Texas Longhorns Set for SEC Debut Against Struggling Mississippi State Bulldogs

The No. 1 Texas Longhorns kick off their SEC journey with a home game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, and it’s shaping up to be a highly favorable matchup. Mississippi State, led by first-year head coach Jeff Lebby, has had to shuffle its roster significantly due to transfers, and now they face even more challenges with a freshman quarterback, Michael Van Buren IV, stepping in after Baylor transfer Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Florida.

Despite the Longhorns being clear favorites, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is not taking the Bulldogs lightly. “I have a ton of respect for Coach Lebby,” Sarkisian said. “They’ve got good wideouts, and they’re a dangerous team. I think back to our first year, where teams fight, scratch, and claw. They’re dangerous in that way.”

### Mississippi State’s Offensive Challenges

Lebby is in the early stages of rebuilding Mississippi State’s program, having overhauled much of the roster through the transfer portal. The Bulldogs have struggled in the new regime, starting 1-3 with losses to Arizona State, Toledo, and Florida. Now, with back-to-back road games against top-ranked Texas and No. 2 Georgia, Lebby faces an uphill battle.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay will likely stick to his playbook, focusing on getting the ball to Mississippi State’s talented wide receivers while developing a running game to relieve pressure on Van Buren in his first start. The offensive line, with four transfers and no returning starters, has yet to find its rhythm, adding further complications for the Bulldogs.

### Quarterback Dilemma

Mississippi State initially started senior transfer Blake Shapen at quarterback, but his injury leaves freshman Michael Van Buren at the helm. Van Buren, a 6’1, 195-pound four-star recruit, stepped in during last week’s loss to Florida, completing a garbage-time drive that ended in a touchdown. His first start will be a daunting task against Texas, the nation’s No. 1 team.

Van Buren, described as a “battle-tested prep quarterback” by 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins, is athletic and has a strong arm, but he’s also prone to taking risks. He’ll need to lean heavily on Mississippi State’s running game and short passes to keep the Bulldogs in the game.

### Running Game

The Bulldogs have a pair of dependable running backs in junior Johnnie Daniels and senior Davon Booth, both of whom scored against Florida. Daniels, at 5’10 and 200 pounds, is a physical runner with 258 yards and one touchdown this season, while Booth, also 5’10 and 205 pounds, transferred from Utah State and has contributed 133 yards and two touchdowns.

Both backs primarily run between the tackles, making them solid options for creating manageable second and third downs. However, with a shaky offensive line and a freshman quarterback, Mississippi State might look to incorporate their backs more in the passing game.

### Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The Bulldogs’ offense will revolve around junior wide receiver Kevin Coleman, who has 287 yards and three touchdowns on 22 receptions. Coleman operates primarily from the slot, relying on his speed to make plays after the catch. He’ll be a crucial target for Van Buren, especially in short-yardage situations.

The supporting cast includes Jordan Mosley, Mario Craver, and Kelly Akharaiyi, each receiving a fair share of targets this season. Tight end Seydou Traore, at 6’4 and 235 pounds, will also be a key figure in the passing game, especially as a safety valve for Van Buren.

### Offensive Line Struggles

Mississippi State’s offensive line is a patchwork unit with four new starters, including transfers from Memphis, Texas Tech, North Texas, and LSU. While they’re big, averaging 317 pounds, their lack of continuity could be a significant issue, especially with a freshman quarterback under center. Although they’ve only allowed four sacks, the line has given up 25 hurries, a stat that Texas’ defensive front will likely exploit.

### Defensive Overview

The Bulldogs run a 3-3-5 defense, with their strength lying in their linebackers and secondary. However, they’ve struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks and have allowed over 30 points in their last three games, including 40-plus points in their last two losses. Texas will likely exploit this, as Mississippi State’s defense focuses on plugging the run, leaving them vulnerable to big plays through the air.

### Defensive Line and Linebackers

The Bulldogs’ defensive line is anchored by senior Sulaiman Kpaka, who transferred from Purdue, and two freshmen, Trevion Williams and Kai McClendon. While they’ve been effective in run support, they lack the experience and speed to pressure opposing quarterbacks effectively.

At linebacker, junior Brandon Jennings is the Bulldogs’ main edge rusher, but at 6’3, 230 pounds, he may struggle against Texas’ strong offensive line. The leader of the defense is junior middle linebacker Stone Blanton, who excels in run support but has room to improve in open-field tackling.

### Secondary

The Bulldogs’ secondary has been heavily involved in tackling, with sophomore safety Isaac Smith leading the team with 51 tackles. However, they’ve struggled in coverage, allowing a high completion rate to opposing quarterbacks. Sophomore cornerback Brice Pollock has allowed 11 receptions on 14 targets this season, making him a likely target for Texas’ talented wide receivers.

### Special Teams

Mississippi State’s special teams feature Kevin Coleman as their primary punt returner, with a long return of 45 yards this season. Sophomore kicker Kyle Ferrie handles field goals and extra points, going 16-of-17 on extra points and 2-of-3 on field goals this season.

### Game Outlook

Texas enters this game as heavy favorites, with a 37.5-point spread according to FanDuel. Mississippi State’s lack of continuity on offense, a freshman quarterback, and a defense that has allowed big plays all season give Texas a significant advantage.

To win, Texas will need to shut down the Bulldogs’ running game early and force Van Buren to pass under pressure. On offense, Texas should exploit Mississippi State’s weak secondary and aim for big plays through the air. If all goes as expected, this game could get out of hand quickly in favor of the Longhorns.