Mississippi State vs Texas Prediction 10/31/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns meet in week 9 college football action from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. 

Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Texas Longhorns Prediction

I’m on Texas here. It looks like Kamario Taylor could be done for a while if not the rest of the season and this Bulldogs team just doesn’t look the part with Puckett at quarterback. Don’t get me wrong, Texas has had big time issues of their own. However, the Longhorns are in need of style points and I think that the Bulldogs are starting to fall apart. Give me Texas here in a 38-13 kind of win.

Mississippi State Bulldogs Recap

The Mississippi State Bulldogs come into this game looking to rebound from a 23-15 loss at the hands of Oklahoma in their last game to sit at 4-3 so far this season. After this game, Mississippi State will head home for a matchup with the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Bulldogs Drop 3rd Game In A Row

Kamario Taylor leads the Mississippi State passing attack with 1,460 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions while completing 65.4% of his throws on 104 completions from 159 attempts, with Parker Puckett providing supplemental support via 368 passing yards and 1 score on 41 completions. The Bulldogs’ ground game is spearheaded by Fluff Bothwell, who rushes for 514 yards and 3 touchdowns on 91 carries, followed closely by Kolin Wilson with 218 yards on 54 carries, Taylor adding 147 rushing yards and 1 touchdown on 46 attempts, J.J. Hill chipping in 147 yards and 2 scores on 15 carries, and Parker Puckett adding 101 yards on 20 rushing attempts. Through the air, Anthony Evans III leads the receiving corps with 647 yards and 5 touchdowns on 53 catches, while Sanfrisco Magee adds 360 yards and 6 scores on 22 receptions, Marquis Johnson logs 259 yards and 1 score on 18 catches, and Zion Ragins rounds out key targets with 209 yards and 4 scores on 14 catches. Defensively, Tyler Lockhart anchors the Mississippi State squad by logging a team-high 48 total tackles. Altogether, the Bulldogs’ defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 16 sacks, 76 yards lost, and 34 pass deflections while also coming away with 2 total interceptions.

Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs will win

• Texas has lost four of its last five October games as a top-15 AP-ranked team.
• Texas has failed to cover the spread in 15 of its last 16 October games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
• The underdog has covered the spread in five of Texas’ last six games.

Texas Longhorns Recap

The Texas Longhorns come into this game looking to add on to their 34-27 win over Ole Miss last time out to sit at 5-2 this season. After this game, Texas will head on the road for a game against Missouri.

Longhorns Snap Two-Game Skid

Arch Manning has thrown for 1,507 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions while completing 63.3% of his passes to lead the Texas Longhorns’ passing attack, backed by 124 completions on 196 attempts, with KJ Lacey providing supplemental support via 63 passing yards on 7 completions. The Longhorns’ ground game is spearheaded by Raleek Brown, who rushes for 422 yards and 5 touchdowns on 84 carries, followed closely by Hollywood Smothers with 289 yards and 2 scores on 65 carries, Manning adding 110 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 57 attempts, Derrek Cooper chipping in 98 yards and 1 score on 28 carries, and Michael Terry III adding 88 yards and 1 score on 18 rushing attempts. Through the air, Ryan Wingo leads the receiving corps with 456 yards and 4 touchdowns on 33 catches, while Cam Coleman adds 348 yards and 6 scores on 21 receptions, Emmett Mosley V logs 321 yards on 21 catches, and Jermaine Bishop Jr. rounds out key targets with 134 yards and 1 score on 13 receptions. Defensively, Jelani McDonald anchors the Texas squad by logging a team-high 54 total tackles. Altogether, the Longhorns’ defensive unit has successfully combined to bring down opposing quarterbacks for 19 sacks, 126 yards lost, and 34 pass deflections while also coming away with 6 total interceptions.

Why the Texas Longhorns will win

• Mississippi State has lost each of its last 10 games in October.
• Texas has won 22 of its last 23 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• The favorite has covered the spread in each of Mississippi State’s last four games.
• Mississippi State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against top-15 AP-ranked teams.
• Texas has won the first quarter in each of its last 15 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Texas has won the first half in each of its last 17 home games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Chris Ruffolo's Pick: Texas -20.5