Following a commanding 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky to open the season, Mississippi State hits the road for the first time in 2024, battling Arizona State for a late Saturday night kickoff (9:30 p.m. Central Time, 7:30 local) on ESPN. The Sun Devils also come in 1-0 after a 48-7 demolition of Wyoming last weekend.
Here are five keys to victory for the Bulldogs in their first-ever meeting against Arizona State.
Run the ball effectively
For all of MSU’s offensive success against the Colonels in the season opener, the Bulldogs’ rushing numbers were somewhat misleading. They averaged 5.9 yards per carry, but much of that stemmed from wide receiver Creed Whittemore taking an end-around handoff 41 yards for a touchdown. Outside of Whittemore, MSU’s most efficient rusher was quarterback Blake Shapen, who had 44 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.
That is to say, the running backs left a fair amount on the table. The Bulldogs’ offensive line will have to generate some push and win the battles in the trenches, allowing Keyvone Lee and Davon Booth to get into the second and third levels of the defense.
Control the ball, control the clock
This isn’t exactly MSU’s modus operandi — the Bulldogs want to take deep shots when they get the chance — but it goes hand in hand with the first key. MSU possessed the ball for less than 22 minutes against Eastern Kentucky, and Jeff Lebby’s offenses have always run the ball more often than they’ve thrown it.
The Sun Devils played lights-out defense against Wyoming and forced three turnovers, turning two of them into touchdowns. As much as the Bulldogs preach “ball out” on defense, taking care of the ball on offense is just as important.
Set the edges
Much of Arizona State’s success offensively in the Wyoming game came from outside zone runs, screen passes and quick hitters to the perimeter. The Sun Devils did an excellent job blocking downfield and turning several of those runs and short passes into chunk plays.
MSU’s defensive game plan depends on linebackers like Branden Jennings, Nic Mitchell and Zakari Tillman not allowing Arizona State’s skill position players to find running room down the sideline. The Sun Devils have a deep running backs room, and Raleek Brown, arguably their best back, did not play in Week 1 but is expected to be ready to go Saturday night.
Get to the quarterback
Like MSU, Arizona State has an experienced offensive line it created in the transfer portal. Unlike the Bulldogs, the Sun Devils do not have much experience behind center. Redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt, a transfer from Michigan State, made four appearances last season with the Spartans.
He did look solid in his ASU debut, completing 14 of 22 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns. But if MSU’s defensive front can make Leavitt uncomfortable, they can force him into some mistakes.
Prepare for the environment
This will easily be the Bulldogs’ latest kickoff of the season as well as their longest road trip, and they’re also traveling to a climate that could be even hotter than Mississippi. MSU handled itself well in a similar situation two years ago, defeating Arizona 39-17 in Tucson in a game that started even later than Saturday’s will.
The Sun Devils have never beaten a Southeastern Conference team, and head coach Kenny Dillingham called on ASU students to break an attendance record. Shapen will need to stay composed if he can’t hear the plays coming in from Lebby through his helmet, and an early lead could help limit the crowd’s effect on the game.
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