Texas football makes it all look easy in dominant SEC win over Mississippi State

Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Josiah Sharma (90) takes down a player as the Longhorns take on Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) After Texas football's stunning walk-off loss to Oklahoma, its shocking collapse to Florida and its nail-bitingly tight near collapse to Ole Miss, Saturday night stayed true to form and went just as expected against Mississippi State. The No. 11-ranked Longhorns, who were favored to win by 20½ points, won by 28, looked good on offense and great on defense. There was no hugely critical Arch Manning mistake, no blown leads and the big defensive play was by a Longhorn for a change.MORE: You wanted the SEC, Texas, you got the SEC (and its schedule) | GoldenMORE: How basketball has helped Texas LB Rasheem Biles on the football fieldThe 31-3 win at Royal-Memorial Stadium was all Texas (6-2, 3-2 SEC) from start to finish. The only thriller we saw at DKR this week was Cam Coleman's homage to Michael Jackson after his first-quarter touchdown.Here's what else we saw during Saturday night's win: Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson (88) returns a fumble for a touchdown during the game against Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026 in Austin. (Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman) Cam Coleman, Graceson Little both injured Texas Longhorns running back Ryan Niblett (21) runs down field as the Longhorns take on Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) The injuries keep piling up for the Longhorns, and they couldn't come at a worse time. All-American candidate Trevor Goosby is out for the season with a knee injury, star edge rusher Colin Simmons missed his second straight game with an ankle injury, receiver Cam Coleman left the game in the first half, and elite slot cornerback Graceson Littleton also left the game and didn't return. Oh, and Texas faces back-to-back road games against ranked opponents the next two weeks with Missouri and LSU. Healing up may be more important than any game plan this coming week of practice. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) loses his helmet after getting tackled as the Longhorns take on Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) Arch Manning was battered and bruisedManning (16 of 20 for 220 yards, three TDs, no interceptions) likely added plenty bumps and bruises to his bloodied right hand Saturday night. He was sacked four times. He ran the ball the same number of times through three quarters (12) as all Texas running backs combined. Multiple carries preceded Manning limping back to the Longhorns' huddle or sideline. None went for more than 12 yards.Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian stresses he wants Manning's legs to be a threat. But the quarterback's mobility is best used as a secondary weapon rather than the central artillery. The present punishment of Manning is unsustainable. It will cost Texas sooner or later.Texas' men in the middle deliver againSarkisian said the Longhorns' defense "bled out," down the stretch of the Oct. 17 loss to Florida. There was no such wilting against Mississippi State. Texas held the Bulldogs to just 68 rushing yards on 41 carries. It sacked Mississippi State seven times and scored a defensive touchdown on a 61-yard scoop-and-score from 333-pound nose tackle Maraad Watson.Texas' interior defensive line is a team strength, a unit led by fifth-year standout Hero Kanu. Watson starred Saturday, showcasing the depth of an underrated Longhorns' unit. Texas Longhorns linebacker Rasheem Biles (3) celebrates a play as the Longhorns take on Mississippi State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman) Rasheem Biles playing his way to a big futureTexas linebacker Rasheem Biles keeps making his case to be an All-American. And he might just be playing his way into first-round contention in the 2027 NFL Draft, too. Biles changed the game against Mississippi State with a strip sack that knocked Bulldogs quarterback AJ Swann out of the game late in the first half and led to Watson's fumble return for a touchdown. He ended the game with eight tackles, three sacks, four tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. His 6-foot-1, 222-pound frame may not fit the prototype of a first-round linebacker selection, but his play on the field certainly does.Up next for Texas: No. 23 MissouriAt 11 a.m. next Saturday in Columbia, Mo. This is the first of two ranked road trips for the Longhorns. The Tigers are 6-2, just like Texas is, after their 34-10 win tonight over Arkansas. And before that game, the Longhorns will find out where they stand with the College Football Playoff when the initial CFP rankings are revealed Tuesday.Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at Texas football makes it all look easy in dominant SEC win over Mississippi State.