Texas Hosts Mississippi State With Playoff Hopes at Stake

No. 11 Texas hosted Mississippi State on Halloween with its College Football Playoff hopes at stake; the 5-2 Longhorns had just beaten Ole Miss but still needed to address costly penalties, turnovers and second-half offensive struggles. Texas was without left tackle Trevor Goosby and edge rusher Colin Simmons. Mississippi State entered on a three-game losing streak after the season-ending loss of quarterback Kamario Taylor, and its replacement quarterback remained uncertain. The Bulldogs’ third-down offense and fast-paced attack posed a challenge for Texas, whose players had also warned against overlooking Mississippi State’s energetic defense. Game coverage highlighted a fumble-return touchdown by Texas lineman Maraad Watson and a scoring play by receiver Cam Coleman.