STARKVILLE — The No. 22 Texas Longhorns have yet again found themselves in the midst of another ugly game. The defense isn’t playing great, and the offense is still struggling to move the ball downfield.

Here are some quick halftime thoughts as Texas trails the Bulldogs by 10:

– This game got ugly quickly. Maybe not ugly in the sense of a blowout, but the Longhorns took the early lead, regained the lead, and then lost it. Then, down by three, Texas possessed the ball with under two minutes to go before halftime, and as one could probably guess with this Longhorns offense, it went three-and-out and allowed the Bulldogs to go and make it a 10-point game.

– The run game can not get going, even with running back CJ Baxter back. The issue is, for the most part, stemming from the offensive line’s inability to provide decent run blocking. Baxter has 18 yards, and Tre Wisner has 10, which makes it 28 yards on 11 carries. We know these tailbacks are talented; it’s the play-calling and run blocking ruining it.

– Quarterback Arch Manning still isn’t playing good. He’s made some decent plays, especially with his legs, but that’s part of the issue. He’s still making bad decisions and having problems with inaccurate balls. If it wasn’t Week 9, it would probably be worth asking if there might be a change at quarterback, but it seems clear that won’t be happening unless Manning is injured.

– The defense is not playing great. It’s struggling to get pressure and get to the Bulldogs’ quarterback, Blake Shapen, and has been unable to create any turnovers, which is part of what’s helped it be successful in every other game. The defense can’t win the game every time for the Longhorns, but if Texas wants a chance, the defense will need to lock in.

– It’s crazy to think about how bad this game could be. On the first drive of the game, Manning found wide receiver Ryan Wingo in the flats. The ball may have traveled about one yard through the air, but Wingo managed to take it 60 yards to put the offense in a great, manageable situation, allowing the first touchdown. Since then, that’s been Wingo’s only reception. Without that big play, the Longhorns could easily be down by 17 points. It’s going to have to fight back hard in the second half.