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Mississippi State Bulldogs vs Arizona State Sun Devils Preview
The Arizona State Sun Devils will face a much different environment than they did a year ago when they edged Mississippi State at home. This time, they enter Starkville for a clash with the Mississippi State Bulldogs and a stadium full of cowbells.
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Last year, ASU rushed for 346 yards and controlled the ball for more than 40 minutes in a 30-23 win. But this isn’t 2024. Both teams are now 1-0 after Week 1 victories, and the stakes are higher for the Sun Devils, who enter ranked No. 12 and face SEC heat in more ways than one.
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Arizona State Sun Devils: Clean-Up Needed Despite Win
Arizona State beat Northern Arizona 38-19 in their opener, but the performance left plenty to critique. Head coach Ken Dillingham was visibly frustrated by 12 penalties and a 1-for-10 mark on third down.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt still showed promise. He threw for 257 yards and rushed for 73, totaling four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). His favorite target, Jordyn Tyson, posted 12 receptions for 141 yards and two scores.
| Key ASU Stats (Week 1) | Total |
|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 181 |
| Passing Yards (Leavitt) | 257 |
| Receptions (Tyson) | 12 |
| Team Penalties | 12 |
The Sun Devils piped cowbell sound into practice to simulate Starkville’s home crowd—but it’s hard to mimic the real thing.
Explore more team breakdowns and rankings. Browse the full NCAAF team index.
Mississippi State Bulldogs: Shapen’s Comeback in Full Swing
The Bulldogs opened with a 34-17 win over Southern Miss. Quarterback Blake Shapen returned from a season-ending shoulder injury and picked up right where he left off—completing 26 of 33 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown.
He helped turn a narrow 13-10 halftime lead into a comfortable victory by leading three scoring drives in the third quarter. Shapen also threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s loss to Arizona State.
| Key Bulldogs Stats (Week 1) | Total |
|---|---|
| Blake Shapen (Comp/Att) | 26 / 33 |
| Passing Yards | 272 |
| Team Turnovers | 1 |
| SEC Wins Last Year | 0 |
Last year’s team won only two games, but with a healthy Shapen and more offensive balance, this year’s group is aiming higher.
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Key Matchup Metrics & Team Comparison
| Category | Arizona State | Mississippi State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards (Week 1) | 441 | 398 |
| Time of Possession | 29:45 | 34:10 |
| 3rd Down Conversion | 10% | 53% |
| Last Meeting Result | Won 30-23 | Lost 23-30 |
ASU’s offensive upside is clear, but they must avoid penalties and early sloppiness against a Bulldogs defense that will look to pressure Leavitt.
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Betting Lean and Final Score Prediction
Mississippi State’s home-field edge, complete with deafening cowbells and a fired-up SEC crowd, could play a key role here. Arizona State is more talented on paper, but the Bulldogs showed steadier execution in Week 1.
Suggested Bets:
- Mississippi State Bulldogs +3.5
- Over 52.5 Total Points
- Jordyn Tyson Over 90 Receiving Yards (player prop)
This should be a closely contested battle, and turnovers or special teams could ultimately tilt the outcome.
