Texas vs. Mississippi State Postgame LIVE Hosts: Matthew Miller & Thomas Bresee (TexasVOCFB) Result: Texas 31, Mississippi State 3 Overall Takeaways Texas got a relatively comfortable win for the first time in a while. The defense was dominant (held Mississippi State under 180 total yards on 63 plays, ~3 yards per play, multiple turnovers and sacks). The offense was still clunky and uneven, especially in the run game, but put up enough points and stayed clean enough (low penalties, Arch Manning roughly 16–17/20–21 with 3 TDs and one rough turnover) to handle business. Hosts view this as a “catch your breath” game that still leaves real questions heading into a tougher stretch (Missouri on the road next, then LSU). Key themes: Defense is carrying the team and looks playoff-caliber; offense is stuck in a 23–31 point range with persistent run-game and protection issues; Arch is accurate and more decisive when he gets rhythm but still has turnover and decision-making moments; running-back usage and health decisions (especially Hollywood Smothers) are being questioned. Opening & Immediate Reaction 00:00–00:29 Texas finally gets a non-nail-biter (31-3). Hosts weren’t worried once it was 10-0 because Mississippi State’s offense was anemic, especially after AJ Swan left (Puckett/Puckett not effective). 00:29–02:12 (Tommy) Offense still very inconsistent; run game is the biggest problem. Outside zone/getting outside the tackles had been working recently but “wasn’t working at all” today. Need better mix of outside zone to inside zone/duo. Michael Terry showed some downhill burst late. Positive: Arch ~16/20–17/21, low penalty yards, one turnover, KJ Lacey got snaps, team finding some middle ground. Not perfect, but better than recent uneven performances. They put a lot of guys in and managed the game. Offense Evaluation 02:13–04:30 Offense was clunky and didn’t flow well. Expectation is roughly 23–31 points no matter the opponent. Question whether that range is enough against Miami, Notre Dame, or Georgia in a playoff setting. Other offenses around the country have issues (Hoover, Sayin out, etc.). Next week vs. Missouri: more concerned about Texas’ offense than its defense. Defense kept Mississippi State under 180 yards despite ~30 minutes of possession. 04:31–05:48 Pass protection remains an issue. Arch’s fumble/backwards pass involved Andre Kojo getting blocked into him; Arch still needs to get the ball out. Some ineptitude on offense that has to be lived with; defense has to lead. First half they gave up ~140 yards, second half ~40, with 7 sacks, turnovers, and 9 TFLs. 07:47–09:48 Arch does better with the check-down in front of him rather than out to the side (many fumbles come when he has to come all the way back). Relique Brown catching out of the backfield was underutilized all year until tonight — “coaching malpractice” not to use it earlier. Strong criticism of playing Hollywood Smothers late in a game that was well in hand against a non-threatening opponent. Four carries for negative yards; outside zone wasn’t working. Brown is the clear lead back; Michael Terry and Derek Cooper give different (especially inside) looks that are needed. 11:00–14:35 Smothers has had shoulder issues since the Ohio State game; hosts question why he wasn’t rested more. He may miss the next couple of games, so Terry and Cooper need to be ready. Possible disciplinary element mixed with injury/flu. Relique Brown has been good the last couple weeks, especially on stretch/outside zone. First real running-back screen of the year finally showed up. Suggested usage going forward: Brown 12–15 carries, Terry 5–8, Cooper 3–5. Keeps Arch from taking as many hits and helps the offensive line. Arch was accurate and more decisive; the only real “thinking” play was the turnover. Need more early possessions so the offense (and Arch) can get into rhythm. Mississippi State controlled the ball early. 16:12–19:10 Host wants Sark to hire an offensive coordinator. Game plan wasn’t bad in a vacuum but was mismatched to a non-threatening opponent. Too many designed runs for Arch against Mississippi State. Save the hits for Missouri and LSU. Five designed runs is the most of the year against the worst opponent on the schedule. Arch is taking big shots and has lost some awareness when he runs. Brown is the guy to lean on; get Terry and Cooper more involved. Offense is in a weird spot where they need rhythm but are risking key players. 20:18–21:30 Arch finished 16/20, ~220 yards, 3 TDs. Comfortable win with no moment where it felt like it was getting out of hand. Worst moment was the fumble that led to a field goal. Enough positive flashes (Arch’s legs, Brown catches, Coleman after the catch, Mosley TD) to feel okay moving forward. Defense & Depth 05:49–07:24 Very impressed with the depth. Samari Matthews got significant snaps, Myron Charles, Zion Williams, Josiah Sharma, Tyler Atkinson, Kosiak Paula all played. Zeno Mozilo and Colton Vasek had strong games. Cam Coleman left with an unspecified injury; Hollywood Smothers left late. Need explosives in run and pass, strong defense, and at least a tie in the turnover battle. Minus-1 or minus-2 turnovers puts the defense in bad spots with short fields. Arch played well enough, but it has to be cleaner on the road next week. Prefer any turnovers to be on third-and-long downfield throws rather than the ones that have hurt them recently. 23:07–25:35 Mississippi State is a bad operation without Camario Taylor. AJ Swan managed the ball early, but Texas started sitting on the short/easy routes and it fell apart. Defense is elite (Jelani McDonald, the linebackers, Derek Williams). Puts Texas in a good position. If they had flipped one of the Oklahoma or Florida results and beat Missouri, they’d be firmly in the CFP conversation. Looking Ahead (Missouri, LSU, CFP) 07:25–07:46 & 09:49–10:40 & 19:11–20:17 Next two weeks (Missouri on the road, then LSU) need to be clean. Can probably survive A&M or Arkansas with one of Arch’s “what are you doing” turnovers; harder against Missouri or LSU. Colin Simmons expected back next week — that should open things up for others. Fighting chance in November and still in the CFP race. A month ago (or two weeks ago) two wins over Ole Miss and Mississippi State would have felt great; now the schedule gets harder. Missouri can run the ball and shorten the game. Texas needs to stay on the field offensively and avoid early three-and-outs. If they create a couple explosives (Coleman, Brown), use Arch’s legs as a third-down/red-zone changer, and the defense holds teams under ~27, they can win enough. Host currently leans Missouri in that game because of their commitment to the run. Win at Missouri and you’re in a strong spot. 9-3 likely gets you in. LSU game is the other big variable (especially if LSU loses to Alabama then beats Texas). 25:36–27:31 Arch was more decisive — the biggest positive of the night. Once Swan left, Mississippi State offered nothing. Muschamp’s adjustment to take away the easy short throws was good. Handle business the next two weeks and this team is in the playoff. Arch has shown he can make the plays in the biggest moments even when the overall performance is uneven. National Context & Closing 27:32–29:50 Brief Big Ten chaos discussion (who is even playing in the championship game? UCLA as a serious contender is wild). Texas’ struggles are frustrating given the talent, but almost no team is immune this year. Mentally tough group that keeps finding ways. Arch takes hits every week and stays engaged. If they win the next two, they’re on the way to the CFP and potentially more, as crazy as that sounds in this environment. 29:51–end Like and subscribe. Back Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern for the Missouri breakdown. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
