Mississippi State has already passed its projected win total for the season (3.5) and is playing much better football under second-year coach Jeff Lebby. Despite the improvement, the Bulldogs are still in search of their first SEC win in almost 2 years. The Longhorns are limping into Starkville, coming off a 16-13 overtime at Kentucky. Texas is playing its 4th consecutive game away from Austin and is the only SEC team yet to play a home conference game.
Offense
Former Baylor Quarterback Blake Shapen is healthy after suffering a season-ending injury prior to the Texas game in 2024. Shapen has thrown over 1,000 career passes and is having a decent year (67% completion, 9 touchdowns, 5 interceptions). He does not offer much mobility (20 rushing yards on the season) and has been sacked 20 times.
Starting RB Fluff Bothwell (South Alabama transfer) leads the team in rushing with 465 yards, but is questionable for Saturday after missing last week’s game against Florida. If Bothwell is unable to go, Davon Booth will carry a heavy load. Booth has 371 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025, and had 18 carries against Texas last year.
Former Texas receiver Brenen Thompson has found a nice home in Sarkville after spending the last two seasons at Oklahoma. Thompson is averaging over 18 yards a reception and has a team-leading 4 receiving touchdowns. Georgia transfer Anthony Evans leads the team in receptions (42).
The Bulldogs’ offensive line allows a lot of sacks, but is protected by the friendly veer and shoot offensive system and does a solid job opening up holes in the run game.
Defense
Mississippi State had one of the worst defenses in the country last season and has taken big steps forward in 2025. The Bulldogs are allowing a respectable 23 points per game, down from 36.5 points in 2024. Much of the improvement has been in pass defense.
The Bulldogs only have 10 sacks on the season, with DL DJ Reed leading the way with 2. Two former Texas players will see action in the front 7, with Jaray Bledsoe starting at DT and Derion Gullette seeing rotational snaps at LB.
Mississippi State has an impressive 10 interceptions on the season. Safety Brylan Lanier leads the team with 3.
Final Thoughts
The Bulldogs have lost one-possession games to Tennessee and Florida, and fought Texas A&M hard for 3 quarters in College Station. This is a team very capable of beating Texas if the Longhorns show up with an effort similar to the one in Lexington last Saturday.
