Arch Manning Throws Three TDs as Texas Rolls Past Mississippi State

Arch Manning delivered exactly the kind of performance Texas needed Saturday night. But while the Longhorns cruised to a 31-3 victory over Mississippi State, their offensive production revealed a problem that Steve Sarkisian can't afford to ignore.

Manning completed 16 of 20 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, helping No. 11 Texas improve to 6-2 and secure its second consecutive victory.

MORE: No. 11 Texas Dominates Mississippi State 31-3 Behind Defensive Masterclass: Recap & Takeaways

The passing game looked sharp. The running game? That's another story.

After piling up 207 rushing yards against Ole Miss last weekend, Texas managed just 60 yards on 32 carries against Mississippi State, averaging an ugly 1.9 yards per attempt.

That wasn't supposed to happen against a Bulldogs defense that entered the game among the nation's most vulnerable units against the run.

Fortunately for Texas, Manning's efficiency and another dominant defensive performance made the offensive imbalance easier to overlook.

The Longhorns wasted little time establishing their passing attack.

On Texas' opening possession, Manning connected with Cam Coleman for a 47-yard gain before finding the receiver again for a 14-yard touchdown.

Coleman, returning from a shoulder injury that limited him against Ole Miss, immediately reminded everyone why he's such an important weapon in Sarkisian's offense.

Manning later connected with Raleek Brown for a touchdown in the third quarter, giving Texas its first third-quarter touchdown since the season opener against Texas State.

That score was particularly important for an offense that has repeatedly struggled to sustain momentum after halftime.

Manning's third touchdown pass helped put the game out of reach, completing an impressive evening for a quarterback who entered October facing questions about his consistency and decision-making.

His 80 percent completion rate was encouraging, especially after committing three turnovers against Ole Miss.

Saturday wasn't completely mistake-free, however. Manning lost a fumble in the third quarter, briefly giving Mississippi State an opportunity to create some momentum.

Texas' defense responded by limiting the Bulldogs to a field goal.

That was a recurring theme throughout the night.

The Longhorns recorded seven sacks, including three from linebacker Rasheem Biles, who also forced two fumbles.

Defensive tackle Maraad Watson delivered one of the game's biggest plays, returning a fumble for a touchdown late in the first half.

Still, the offensive concerns shouldn't be dismissed simply because the final score was lopsided.

Brown, who exploded for 157 rushing yards against Ole Miss, finished with just 30 yards on eight carries Saturday. Michael Terry III added 16 yards on four attempts.

The lack of consistent production on the ground prevented Texas from establishing the offensive balance Sarkisian prefers.

And that's a concern with tougher SEC competition approaching.

The Longhorns can't count on defensive touchdowns and seven-sack performances every week.

They'll need to control the line of scrimmage, create running lanes and give Manning more support from the backfield.

The encouraging news is that Manning appears increasingly comfortable distributing the football, making quick decisions and avoiding the costly interceptions that plagued him earlier this season.

Texas now heads into November with consecutive wins and renewed momentum in the College Football Playoff conversation.

But Saturday's victory delivered two very different messages.

MORE: Steve Sarkisian Plans Halftime Changes As Texas Looks To Fix Alarming Trend

Arch Manning is finding his rhythm. Texas' running game still has a long way to go.

And if the Longhorns want to make a serious postseason push, they'll need both working together.