Fresh off a drama-free 34-17 win over Southern Miss last week in Hattiesburg, the Bulldogs will open their home slate with a primetime game against defending Big 12 champion No. 12 Arizona State.
The Sun Devils lost First-Team All-American running back Cam Skattebo to the NFL Draft but return top-end talent at other skill positions.
Here are three keys to victory as MSU looks to avenge last year’s 30-23 loss in Tempe, Ariz.
Get to the quarterback
Mississippi State’s defensive line looked much improved last Saturday after an abysmal 2024 season. The Bulldogs mustered just 10 sacks and ranked near the bottom of FBS teams in stopping the run.
In Hattiesburg, MSU’s defense still only produced one sack and faced some difficulty in containing quarterback Braylon Braxton, but held USM’s backs to a mere 44 yards. Three straight defensive stops to start the second half paved the way for the offense to get in gear and take over the game on the scoreboard.
But that was Southern Miss.
MSU is facing a much better, battle-tested opponent at home this Saturday, and the pass rush simply has to step it up. The defense has to force passing downs and make Sam Leavitt uncomfortable, or they risk falling far behind the Sun Devils and chasing the game for a second year in a row.
Sustain drives
One of the biggest problems the Bulldogs had against ASU in Tempe was simply keeping the offense on the field.
In six first half drives, the Bulldogs started with back-to-back three and outs, had a fumble lead to a touchdown, and ended the half on an eight-yard loss.
Starting slow was a consistent problem last year, an issue exacerbated by the season-ending injury to Blake Shapen and inconsistent play up front.
At USM, the Bulldogs stalled out several times in the first half, and the Golden Eagles nearly made a game of it after MSU’s offense produced a three-and-out, a turnover and two drives where they had to settle for field goals because of penalties.
The Bulldogs can’t afford to fall flat out of the gate again.
Keep the crowd alive
The biggest advantage that Lebby and his squad will have on Saturday is the night game atmosphere of a home opener with cowbells ringing and 60,000 fans yelling as loud as they can.
The university is making the night a big deal. The athletic department wants to show off the new bells and whistles at Davis Wade Stadium, and they want as many fans in the stands as possible to enjoy it and back the team with the national spotlight on Starkville.
Once the ball is kicked, it’s on the Bulldogs to keep everyone involved. The atmosphere at Davis Wade is only hostile for visitors so long as the host team does its part. There is no doubt the team is hungry for the matchup, but they have to show they’re ready on the field and seize the opportunity to earn four quarters of support.
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