Texas football is back on the road again this weekend as they travel to Starkville, Mississippi, to take on the Bulldogs. Arch Manning had to start in last year's game against the Bulldogs due to Quinn Ewers' injury. After a rough game against the Wildcats last weekend, the Longhorns must prove they are still the #1-ranked team from the start of the season. The Bulldogs are 0-3 in the SEC Conference, and the Longhorns need to shut them down this weekend.
Although the game doesn't look like a must-watch matchup on paper, it has the potential to be. Mississippi State might have a good chance of upsetting the Longhorns this weekend. They don't have a win in the SEC and have nothing to lose by throwing the kitchen sink at the Longhorns. There are some good storylines going into this weekend.
Here are four storylines you should familiarize yourself with before you watch the game on Saturday afternoon.
1. Return of C.J. Baxter
One of the storylines surrounding the game this weekend is the return of C.J. Baxter. The Longhorns could utilize his speed to mix things up on offense, rather than relying heavily on the pass. It seems that when Steve Sarkisian hinted at Baxter's return, the Vegas spread seemingly moved. It would really help out the Longhorns if Quintrevion Wisner and Baxter reunited on Saturday. Hopefully, it will help the Longhorns cage the Bulldogs and continue to climb the AP Poll.
2. Steve Sarkisian's playcalling
After the way social media was letting Sarkisian have it for his playcalling against Kentucky, it's going to be a storyline going into this weekend's game. Kentucky was 0-3 going into the game last weekend and almost pulled off the upset against Texas. Sarkisian has got to be aggressive with his playcalling and allow Manning to be the quarterback he is capable of being. If Sarkisian continues to call plays like he did against Kentucky this weekend. The Bulldogs will jump at the chance of upsetting Texas in Starkville.
3. Can Arch right the ship?
After the game against the Wildcats, Manning mentioned that it felt like a loss for the offense even though they beat Kentucky. Manning has got to get the offense to be more consistent instead of stalling out and punting the football. It's the only way they will get back into the conversation for the SEC Championship game, even though their odds are low right now. If Manning and the offense isn't in sync this weekend, don't be shocked if the Bulldogs can beat the Longhorns.
4. Ryan Wingo
Ryan Wingo has the most receiving yards on the Longhorns this season. If the Longhorns want to leave Starkville with a win this weekend, Sarkisian needs to feed him the ball. I'm sure the Bulldogs' secondary is working this week on how to cover Wingo to limit the damage he can inflict.
The Longhorns need to use him in any way imaginable, even if that means a WR jet sweep. Wingo could be the key to the Longhorns' offensive issues, and the Bulldogs will do everything to make sure he doesn't get the ball.