Mississippi State football welcomes the No. 22 Texas Longhorns to Starkville Saturday afternoon at 3:15 PM CT for an important conference clash. The Bulldogs are 4-3 on the season and 0-3 in the SEC. They're desperately hoping to snap a 15-game conference losing streak, the longest in the country, and keep their hopes for making a bowl game realistically alive. Meanwhile Texas, 5-2 on the season and 2-1 in the SEC, looks to keep themselves in the hunt for the College Football Playoff.
What are the final odds for the matchup here on gameday, and what do we predict to happen in Starkville?
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Texas Longhorns odds: point spread, moneyline, and total
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook as of October 25. Odds are subject to change.
Point Spread
- Mississippi State +7.5 (-115)
- Texas -7.5 (-105)
Moneyline
- Mississippi State +235
- Texas -290
Total
- 47.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Texas Longhorns score prediction
Despite what one would expect in game between coaches Jeff Lebby and Steve Sarkisian, points may very well be a premium on Saturday. That's because neither team has been particularly impressive offensively while each fields a respectable defense. The Bulldogs have been been quite up-and-down offensively but relatively solid on defense. The Longhorns meanwhile have been largely looked poor on offense but have one of the better defenses in the country.
Pass protection will almost certainly be a big issue for MSU. They're 115th nationally in sacks allowed while Texas is 13th in sacks on the season. The Longhorns have also been excellent at getting stops in the redzone while the Bulldogs field a fairly mediocre redzone offense. Add in that Texas does a good job of limiting the big passing plays State tends to thrive on, and it could be a long day for the Bulldog offense.
Defensively, MSU should manage to keep what's been a bad Texas offense in check. However, when the Longhorns have managed to run the ball, they've been passable offensively. And despite respectable overall numbers, State has fielded one of the SEC's worst rushing defenses. Even on the road, this may be a matchup Texas is able to find just enough of an edge in to pull out a win. But expect a low-scoring, ugly game.
Texas wins 20-13