The college football world wasn’t supposed to look like this in late October. Texas, the preseason No. 1, wasn’t supposed to be fighting for its SEC life, and Mississippi State wasn’t supposed to be circling the Longhorns as their best shot at bowl eligibility. Yet here we are, Week 9, Starkville, Mississippi, and suddenly, all eyes are on Steve Sarkisian. Because real pressure’s on.

When Josh Pate, Taylor Lewan, and Will Compton got together on Bussin’ With The Boys on October 22, the chatter was whether Texas could survive. Taylor Lewan dropped an interesting stat to make gamblers lean forward. “Mississippi State is undefeated against a spread when they’re dogs by 10 or less,” he said. “That is what we’re sitting in right now. And for that reason, I’ll be taking Mississippi State.” But Will Compton thinks otherwise. “Texas’ defense is elite. I don’t think Mississippi State will be able to move the ball,” he said. Meanwhile, Josh Pate is in skeptical. 

Josh Pate didn’t hold back. “I do agree with how pissed Sark must be to have his play calling, his identity, really his humanity questioned,” he began. He’s not wrong. Texas is barely scraping past 20 points per game lately. The spark that once defined Steve Sarkisian’s offensive genius has dimmed under SEC heat. Meanwhile, Jeff Lebby’s Bulldogs have been lurking, frustrating teams like Tennessee, and nearly shocking Florida, leading to Billy Napier‘s firing. Now, they’re waiting for that one signature win to shake up the league. And if there’s one thing the Bulldogs do better than anyone, it’s the big play. 

Jeff Lebby knows exactly how to dial it up. Mississippi State leads the nation in passing plays over 40 yards, 14 of them to be exact, and they call it “Score from far.” Seven of those have been touchdowns, including a 75-yard bomb from Jordan Mosley. Here’s what stings for Texas. The Bulldogs’ pass defense might be the SEC’s most underrated weapon. They’ve picked off 10 passes this season, best in the conference, and allow just 187 yards per game through the air.

Arch Manning, meanwhile, has five interceptions and has looked far from comfortable behind center. “I think Texas is going to cover, but I don’t have a lot of confidence. And I don’t think it’s going to be pretty even if they do,” Josh Pate added. With an offense ranking 11th in the SEC and 79th in the nation, Texas simply hasn’t found its identity in the air or on the ground. That’s a problem when Mississippi State has made a living off chaos and turnovers.

Injury woes mount for Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns 

Just when Steve Sarkisian needed a clean bill of health, the injury report hit.

Out: WR Aaron Butler, DB Michael Taaffe, OL Cole Hutson.

Probable: RB CJ Baxter, DB Xavier Filsaime, LB Jonathan Cunningham.

Michael Taaffe’s thumb surgery and Cole Hutson’s leg injury are already thinning the depth chart. CJ Baxter’s potential return could steady the run game, but the HC admitted during the SEC Coaches Teleconference that there’s still no clear timeline for full strength.

Meanwhile, Mississippi State’s injury report is as follows-

Out – DL Will Whitsen, OL Brennan Smith, OL Blake Steen

Out 1st half – LB Zakari Tillman

Questionable – RB Fluff Bothwell

This is only the second-ever time Texas travels to Starkville, the first was way back in 1991, when the Longhorns still repped the Southwest Conference. Now, they’re heading into Davis Wade Stadium on the second leg of back-to-back road games, limping, doubted, and facing a Bulldogs team with nothing to lose.

Texas is favored by seven. But the Bulldogs are dangerous. They’ve already knocked off a ranked Arizona State squad. And if Steve Sarkisian’s offense doesn’t come alive soon, he might leave Starkville with a loss and a whole lot more questions than answers.