Longhorns ready for another tough road environment in Starkville, Mississippi

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Longhorns' four consecutive games outside of Austin will come to an end against Mississippi State — another team that's 0-3 in the Southeastern Conference.

As if playing at Kentucky in a night game wasn't enough, now No. 22 Texas now has to face the Bulldogs who beat previously ranked No. 12 Arizona State 24-20 at home. The Bulldogs also held No. 17 Tennessee to a seven-point win margin in overtime.

"Obviously they're going to be ready to go with us [Texas] coming into town just as Kentucky was," defensive end Ethan Burke said. "I've never been to Mississippi before and I think it's going to be a fun game. The cowbells are going to be going."

Mississippi State's 4-3 overall record doesn't speak for the level of difficulty they provide to opponents. In three losses, the Bulldogs have only been outscored by 22 points, compared to the 64 points they've scored.

"You know when you're playing on the road in the SEC we know it's going to be tough games," linebacker Anthony Hill Jr said. "Hopefully it don't got to be five quarters. Hopefully we can get it done in four but we know this is going to be a tough game for us and we're just going to have to go execute and handle our business."

The Longhorns have had their offensive struggles, but the defense has been there to pick up the slack. The Longhorns had five sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles against Kentucky. If Texas finds a way to leave Starkville with a win, they'll return to Austin 3-1 in the SEC before facing No. 10 Vanderbilt.

Texas and Mississippi State will kickoff at 3:15 p.m. CT.