Texas’ star edge rusher Colin Simmons is officially ruled out for their upcoming clash against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. This isn’t just a “maybe” situation; Simmons had already been downgraded from questionable to doubtful in an earlier injury report. Now, per Pete Nakos of On3, it is confirmed: Simmons is out for the big SEC game.
Simmons Out: The Ankle Sprain Saga Continues
Simmons initially suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Longhorns’ tough loss to Florida. He then missed last week’s game, a 34-27 win over Ole Miss. Even after sitting out that crucial week, it looks like he is still not ready to hit the field and contribute for the Longhorns. Losing a player of his caliber is never easy, especially in an SEC matchup.
Texas Defense Adapts While Offense Needs a Reset
Even without Simmons disrupting plays, the Texas defense showed up big against Ole Miss. They managed to snag three interceptions off Trinidad Chambliss, a season-high performance from the senior. That’s a huge positive, showing the defense can still make plays when their star is sidelined. However, it wasn’t all clean sailing; the Texas offense struggled with ball security, committing three turnovers of their own. You just can’t be doing that if you want to win consistently, even with a strong defense backing you up.
Mississippi State’s Season Has Gone Off The Rails
Luckily for the Longhorns, they are facing a Mississippi State team that is in a world of hurt right now. The Bulldogs will be without their starting quarterback, Kamario Taylor, for the rest of the season after he underwent surgery for turf toe. Losing your starting QB is a season-killer, and Mississippi State’s season has absolutely spiraled since Taylor went down in their loss to Alabama. They got shut out 31-0 by LSU and followed that up with a 23-15 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, stretching their losing streak to three games. Freshman quarterback Parker Puckett has stepped in, but he has really struggled in his two starts, totaling just 279 yards with only one touchdown and two interceptions.
Even without their star edge rusher Colin Simmons, the Longhorns have to feel good about their chances. They will definitely like their odds of tearing apart a Mississippi State offense that is already reeling from major quarterback issues and a three-game losing streak. This is a massive opportunity for Texas to keep their momentum rolling despite the key injury.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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