Following a decisive 56-7 win last weekend against Eastern Kentucky, Mississippi State heads out on the road for the first time this season when the Bulldogs battle Arizona State on Saturday for a 9:30 p.m. Central Time (7:30 p.m. local time) kickoff on ESPN.
The Sun Devils finished 3-9 in their final season in the Pac-12 last year before moving to the Big 12, but if their season opener is any indication, they are a much-improved team this year. Arizona State thrashed Wyoming 48-7 and has a roster littered with transfer portal additions on both sides of the ball.
What: Mississippi State at Arizona State
When: 9:30 p.m. CDT/7:30 p.m. MST Saturday
Where: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
TV: ESPN
Betting line: Arizona State by 6.5
Weather: Mostly sunny and hot; high of 107 degrees (though considerably cooler by game time) with winds out of the southeast at 8 miles per hour, per AccuWeather
Records/rankings: Both teams are 1-0 and neither team is ranked or receiving votes in either the AP Top 25 or the AFCA Coaches Poll.
Series history: This is the first-ever head-to-head meeting between the teams.
Mississippi State update: The Bulldogs were firing on nearly all cylinders in their win over the Colonels, with the offense looking rejuvenated under Baylor transfer quarterback Blake Shapen. Within four minutes, MSU led 14-0, and the defense held EKU to 3.3 yards per rushing attempt.
The Bulldogs also stopped the Colonels three times on fourth down in MSU territory. Safety Isaac Smith, making his first collegiate start, led the team with 11 tackles, while linebackers Zakari Tillman and Branden Jennings had six tackles each off the bench. Shapen accounted for four total touchdowns in his Bulldogs debut, and MSU added late scores on special teams and defense for good measure.
On the injury front, defensive lineman Kalvin Dinkins will be a game-time decision for Saturday, while wide receivers Kelly Akharaiyi and JJ Harrell and safety Corey Ellington remain out.
Arizona State update: Like the Bulldogs, the Sun Devils struck early and often in their opening game. An interception return for a touchdown gave them the lead after just 41 seconds, the start of a dominant defensive performance in which Wyoming managed a mere 1.3 yards per carry and 2.3 yards per play overall. Arizona State’s defense scored again in the second half on a fumble return and was pitching a shutout until the final seconds.
Redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt, a transfer from Michigan State, completed 14 of 22 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns in his Sun Devils debut. Arizona State has a deep running backs room, led by Cam Skattebo, DeCarlos Brooks and Kyson Brown.
Arizona State players to watch: QB Sam Leavitt, RB Kyson Brown, C Leif Fautanu, LB Zyrus Fiaseu, S Shamari Simmons.
Prediction: These are two programs following a similar trajectory, and even though the Sun Devils are technically in the second year of their rebuild, the Bulldogs have more talent on their roster, especially on offense, and eke out a win on the road. Mississippi State 31, Arizona State 27.
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