Texas @ Mississippi State Picks & Props
TEX vs MSST Picks
NCAAF Picks
Arch Manning hasn't handled road environments very well. He led just three scoring drives at Florida in 13 possessions, and should've lost at Kentucky last week as he completed just 12 of 27 passes.
He's facing a Mississippi State defense that ranks sixth in interceptions, and seventh in interception rate against. The Bulldogs also love to run the ball, which should shorten the number of possessions available to both teams.
Texas will need to run the ball to help Manning, but the Longhorns rank 116th in late-down success, 105th in available yards, and 110th in EPA/pass. And the Longhorns have not scored 24 points in four games against power conference foes.
Manning will struggle with the incessant cowbell ringing and Texas will not get to 28 points.
Unlike Bruce Dickinson, the last thing Arch Manning needs is more cowbell. But the Mississippi State faithful are gonna give him all he can handle.
Manning routinely missed wide-open throws against a Kentucky secondary that has given up big pass plays often this season. And he's looked rattled in both of his SEC road starts.
The Bulldogs have the best rushing success rate of any team in the nation, and they've nearly gotten that "big" win against both Florida and Tennessee. They fell just short over the weekend, but the cowbells will get to Manning and they'll get the win on Saturday.