The Longhorns open SEC play as heavy favorites against the Bulldogs.
After three years of waiting, the No. 1 Texas Longhorns are finally playing their first game in the SEC, taking on the Mississippi State Bulldogs as heavy favorites at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Texas holds the top spot in the AP Top 25 poll after cruising through its first four games with smothering defense and explosive offense. Unlike years past when the Longhorns struggled with outmatched opponents, they kept their foot on the gas and outscored opponents 190-22, with plenty of garbage time in the matchups.
The Bulldogs have been far from successful this season, just 1-3 through four weeks, capped by losing a starting quarterback Blake Shapen to injury during an embarrassing non-conference loss. New head coach Jeff Lebby has a short leash in Starkville and another lopsided loss would make this already tenuous position even shakier.
With only five players left who were holdovers from the Tom Herman era, Sarkisian has also built his own culture in Austin, aided by Culture Wednesdays during the summer during which players form stronger bonds by opening up to each other. Now players speak with the voices of their coaches.
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I’d like to see Arch let the game come to him. I’m sure the adrenaline and nerves were all over the place against ULM and we saw that with some missed and forced throws. Trust your arm, trust your scheme, trust your progressions, and go out and have fun.
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In Sarkisian’s fourth year, the Longhorns are the No. 1 team in the country and a five-touchdown favorite over the Mississippi State Bulldogs heading into the school’s SEC opener on Saturday in Austin. Despite all of the change and the elevated expectations, nothing will change for Texas as they prepare for Saturday’s matchup.
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How to Watch
TV: SECNetwork
Time: 3:15 PM Central
Radio: Texassports.com. Broadcasts are also available on Sirius 132, XM 199, and App Ch. 953
Online Streaming: WatchESPN
Odds: Texas -37.5, according to FanDuel
Weather: High of 95 degrees and sunny