Sep 263 min read

No. 1 Texas Jumps into First SEC Game Against Bulldogs

No. 1 Texas (4-0) plays its first conference game as a member of the Southeastern Conference as it hosts Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC) at 4:15 p.m. ET on Sept. 28 at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas.

The Longhorns have been on a roll and are undefeated in their first four games. They will take on one of the SEC's worst teams so far this season. The Bulldogs have just one win this year.

Key Players: Texas

Offense

Arch Manning, Quinn Ewers, Quarterback

Arch Manning started for an injured Quinn Ewers and threw for 258 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions as the Longhorns blew out Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 21. Ewers remains the starter but is questionable this week, meaning Manning may make his second start.

Jaydon Blue, Jerrick Gibson, Running Back

Jaydon Blue picked up the slack for No. 1 Texas last week with 127 total yards and 4 touchdowns (3 rushing and 1 receiving). Blue and Jerrick Gibson, a freshman, each have over 200 rushing yards with 3 touchdowns this season to lead the Longhorns' ground game.

Isaiah Bond, Ryan Wingo, Wide Receiver

Isaiah Bond and Ryan Wingo have been the favorites of the two Texas quarterbacks this season. Bond has emerged as the No. 1 receiver after transferring from Alabama, while Wingo has become Texas' best speedster and next-best deep threat.

Defense

Anthony Hill Jr., David Gbenda, Linebacker

These two have been all over the field early in the season. Anthony Hill Jr. is quickly becoming a leader on the defensive side of the ball as a sophomore, leading the team in tackles with 25. David Gbenda is not far behind with 20 and helps form an outstanding duo in the middle of the defense.

Michael Taaffe, Defensive Back

The Texas secondary is having a great year, and Michael Taaffe stood out last week. He has 17 tackles this year and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.

Key Players: Mississippi State

Offense

Michael Van Buren Jr., Quarterback

With Baylor transfer Blake Shapen out for the season, Michael Van Buren Jr. takes over at quarterback for the Bulldogs. The true freshman has appeared in two games this season, throwing for 100 yards on 7-of-13 passing against Florida on Sept. 21.

Johnnie Daniels, Keyvone Lee, Davon Booth, Running Back

The Mississippi State running game only averages 3.7 yards per carry, but all three of these guys—Johnnie Daniels, Keyvone Lee and Davon Booth—have surpassed 100 yards on the season. Daniels leads the way, and he and Lee are both averaging nearly 5 yards per carry.

Kevin Coleman Jr., Jordan Mosley, Wide Receiver

Kevin Coleman Jr, and Jordan Mosley are the Bulldogs' top two receivers this season, each eclipsing 200 receiving yards and catching multiple touchdown passes. With a true freshman making the start against the No. 1 team in the nation, they'll be vital components of the Mississippi State offense this week.

Defense

Isaac Smith, Safety

As bad as things have been for Mississippi State, Isaac Smith has been a bright spot. His 51 tackles rank third in the country behind Buffalo Bulls linebacker Shaun Dolac and Oklahoma State safety Trey Rucker. Smith is also dealing with an injury ahead of this game.

Stone Blanton, Linebacker

Stone Blanton made 52 tackles a year ago and is well on his way to matching that with 31 through four games. Eighteen have come over the last two games, and he forced a fumble against Toledo (3-1) on Sept. 14

Texas | Mississippi State LB Stone Blanton — © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Trends to Watch

Mississippi State's top tacklers are all part of the back seven on defense, which generally indicates they've been susceptible to big plays. Texas has a prolific offense that can take advantage of that.

Texas has only allowed 22 total points this season, while Mississippi State has struggled to reach that mark in recent weeks.