UPDATE: Due to rain in Austin, first-pitch of Friday's series-opener between Mississippi State and Texas has been postponed to 7:30 p.m.

Mississippi State is stepping into its toughest stretch of the season, and it starts deep in the heart of Texas.

The Bulldogs head to Austin this weekend for a top‑five matchup with No. 4 Texas, the first of three straight Top 10 opponents waiting for them in May.

Texas sits just a half‑game ahead of Mississippi State in a league race where the top five teams are separated by a single game. It’s the kind of series that can swing the standings in a hurry.

For Mississippi State, this is the first ranked SEC opponent since the Georgia sweep in early April.…