Texas vs. Mississippi State: Final odds and prediction

For the second week in a row, redshirt freshman Arch Manning will get the start for No. 1 Texas football at quarterback for the SEC opener on Sep. 28 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at home. Redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers is at "70 percent" after practice this week, as he's recovering from an abdominal strain injury.

Ewers suffered the abdominal injury early in the second quarter of Texas's Week 3 win at home over the UTSA Roadrunners. He had completed 14-of-16 pass attempts for 185 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interceptions, before the abdominal injury caused him to miss the rest of the game against the Roadrunners a couple of weeks ago.

Orangebloods' Anwar Richardson reported on the morning of Sep. 28 that Manning took "all of the first-team reps" in practice this week for the Longhorns entering the SEC opener. Texas is looking to get Ewers back "at 100 percent" for the Red River Rivalry game on Oct. 12 in Dallas against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Manning showed mental toughness and resilience in his first career start last weekend, leading Texas to a dominant 51-3 win over the UL-Monroe Warhawks at home. He led Texas on four first-half touchdown drives, while passing for over 250 yards and two touchdowns, after throwing an early interception on his first offensive drive of the game.

Moreover, Manning won't be the only freshman quarterback starting this game against Mississippi State for the Longhorns to open up conference play this weekend. Mississippi State and first-year head coach Jeff Lebby is starting true freshman Michael Van Buren at quarterback after senior Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last week against Florida.

Here's a look at the final betting odds and game prediction as No. 1 Texas hosts Mississippi State at home at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX, on Sep. 28 at 3:15 p.m. CT.

Texas football vs. Mississippi State odds

Texas is a 37.5-point favorite against Mississippi State a few hours before kickoff in Week 5. And the Longhorns are favored in the money line (-20000) over the Bulldogs (+4000), per FanDuel. The over/under is 58.5 points.

Texas football vs. Mississippi State prediction

The Longhorns have the decisive advantage in the trenches and should have the edge at the skill positions on both sides of the ball in this game against Mississippi State. Texas brings the nation's No. 8 ranked pass defense and No. 11 scoring offense into this game against a struggling Mississippi State defense and an offense missing its starting quarterback.

If Texas controls the line of scrimmage, as it is expected to do, on both sides of the ball and Manning operates the offense at a high level, this should be a smooth victory for the Longhorns against the Bulldogs to reel in their first win in the SEC.

Final score prediction: Texas-52, Mississippi State-10

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