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Mississippi State stats reveal the areas Texas should look to exploit

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook10/24/25josephcook89
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Quintrevion Wisner (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

As we do every week, Inside Texas takes a look at the statistics where the Longhorns’ upcoming opponent ranks in the 90s or worse in order to find places Texas should try to exploit on Saturday. Mississippi State has a few problem areas, but many of them look a lot like Texas’ problem areas.

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Rushing defense – No. 97 – 164.0 ypg

Every team save for Alcron State has rushed for at least 100 yards against the Bulldogs’ defense this year, with Arizona State notching 251 yards and Texas A&M tallying 299. The ground game has been a massive problem area for the Longhorns of late, but MSU could help Texas find a groove like it did versus Oklahoma. Every FBS team Mississippi State has played except for Northern Illinois has run at least 68 plays against the Bulldogs’ defense, meaning there’s at least some possession of the football against Coleman Hutzler’s defense.

Kickoff returns – No. 125 – 15.50 ypr

If the Bulldogs decide to take it out, they don’t get very far. Expect to see a lot of touchbacks on Saturday.

Fewest penalties per game – T-123 – 8.14 per game

Thought Texas had a penalty issue? Well, don’t worry, the Longhorns do. Texas is No. 118 at 7.86 per game, meaning there could be a lot of laundry on the field on Saturday.

Fewest penalty yards per game – No. 129 – 74.57 ypg

Similar story. Texas is No. 112 with just over 66 penalty yards per game.

Tackles for loss allowed – No. 117 – 46

The Bulldogs have seen a lot of mixing and matching due to injury along the offensive line this year, and star transfer Blake Steen has yet to make much of a difference. He won’t factor into this week’s game, so that means the Longhorn defense should be able to set Jeff Lebby’s offense back at a decent clip on Saturday.

Sacks – No. 106 – 10 sacks

Pass protection hasn’t been the worst of myriad issues for the Longhorns this year, but they’ve let other teams get right when it comes to taking down the quarterback…

Tackles for loss – No. 114 – 29 TFL

Or any ball-carrier. Negative plays just haven’t been part of MSU’s repertoire this season. Staying ahead of schedule will be key for Texas and Mississippi State hasn’t shown a proclivity for making plays in the offensive backfield.

Time of possession – No. 129 – 26:29

Earlier this week, IT highlighted time of possession as a stat the Longhorns need to win going forward. That’s been tough for Texas, but it’s also been tough for Mississippi State. The more the Longhorns hang onto the ball, the fewer cracks at the egg the Bulldogs will get.

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