Behind Enemy Lines: Maroon & White Daily's Paul Jones on Texas vs. Mississippi State

Texas makes its first trip to Starkville, Miss. since the early 1990s this Saturday to face Jeff Lebby’s Mississippi State Bulldogs. To offer a look at the Bulldog side of things, Maroon & White Daily’s Paul Jones took the time to answer a few questions before toe meets leather on Saturday.

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How much has Mississippi State improved since the 2024 game between the Longhorns and the Bulldogs?

Paul Jones: It’s been a night and day difference from a competitive standpoint even though they are lacking the most important thing, which is winning. But this staff has improved the talent on both sides of the ball and it’s been an impressive turnaround on the defensive side of the ball.

Last year Mississippi State didn’t have any depth on offense or defense, and it was even hard to practice without any decent players on the scout team. They still have a ways to go to keep improving the depth and talent but as noted, the Bulldogs have proven they are competitive this year.

They should have two SEC wins this year but this group is still learning how to win. But the defense that faced Texas last year has greatly improved this season and they’ve also been good at forcing turnovers (currently lead the SEC with 10 interceptions).

What has Blake Shapen being healthy brought to the offense?

Paul Jones: He brings balance but of late he has missed a lot of open receivers. Not all of that is his fault since he doesn’t always have a lot of time to make those vertical throws. Injuries have played a role in Mississippi State’s offensive line, although they were better last week against Florida.

Shapen is still good with his accuracy but last week against Florida he missed a couple of touchdown throws that would’ve made a difference in the game. His decision making at times has not been good, either, as evident by the late interception he threw against Florida last week when State was trying to set up a potential game-winning field goal. But Jeff Lebby still trusts Shapen as his guy and lot of that is due to Shapen’s experience compared to other quarterbacks on the roster.

Who are some of the defensive difference makers on the team?

Paul Jones: Unfortunately, one of those defensive makers – Will Whitson – suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game of the season. Whitson was off to an impressive start and had two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in the first 1.5 games of the season.

Transfer safety Jahron Manning has been a difference maker in the secondary and senior Brylan Lanier (had two picks last week) has also stepped up this year. Lanier had to play out of position last season at cornerback but is thriving at safety this season.

Isaac Smith has also been solid this year although he is still trying to get to 100 percent after an injury sidelined him for two games. The junior linebacker did play last week but wasn’t playing up to his standard. Cornerback Kelley Jones is one of the top-graded corners in the nation and he is having a breakout sophomore season, as well.

How have former Texas players Brenen Thompson, Derion Gullette, and Jaray Bledsoe fared in Starkville?

Paul Jones: All three have been very productive this year, especially Thompson. Thompson leads the team in receiving yards (533) and receiving touchdowns (4). He has also become one of the top leaders on the team.

Gullette and Bledsoe have also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Gullette missed a couple of games due to injury but has been solid at dime linebacker and is likely to start Saturday with Zakari Tillman (targeting) suspended for the first half against Texas. Bledsoe currently leads the team with 4.5 tackles for loss and has probably been the biggest surprise of that trio.

Score prediction?

Paul Jones: It just feels like State is so close to finally breaking through to get that first SEC win. We’ve seen it against Tennessee (lost in overtime) and against Florida last week. I am not sure of an exact score yet but I predict State to win a close game, maybe a three-point margin, this weekend against Texas.