Get to know Mississippi State football's 2024 opponents: Arizona State Sun Devils

With the 2024 Mississippi State football season on the horizon, we're getting to know each of the Bulldogs' opponents this fall. On September 7, MSU will head out west to play the Arizona State Sun Devils at 9:30 pm CT.

HC Kenny Dillingham inherited an awful situation at his alma mater and had a tough debut season, going 3-9. But he managed to get the most out of his team.

Arizona State genuinely played hard in 2023.

If you're going to give the Sun Devils props for anything last year, they fought as hard as they could, all things considered. Through NCAA sanctions, roster turnover, and a ton of injuries, they still found ways to be competitive.

ASU nearly upset Washington, went down to the wire with Cal and Colorado, and did spring upsets against Washington State and UCLA. Against the Bruins, they were so decimated along the OL at at QB that they had to turn to the Swinging Gate formation to field an offense, and it worked! The talent and depth weren't there in '23 and may not be again, but they fight.

Better health at OL and QB should lead to big offensive improvements for Arizona State.

I don't know if there's a team that was more injury-ridden at two most important spots on offense than ASU. As previously mentioned, injuries at QB and OL were so widespread that they nearly couldn't field an offense at points. Simply staying healthy would help significantly.

They've brought in a bevy of transfers to surround C Leif Fautanu with. RB Cam Skattebo is a fun player, and USC-transfer Raleek Brown gives him a talented counterpart. There's a lot of hope for Michigan State-transfer Sam Leavitt to bring stability at QB, but receivers have to emerge. Former Colorado-transfer Jordyn Tyson could help there.

Arizona State has pieces to build around on defense.

The Sun Devil defense had a very up-and-down year in '23. They were somehow the only team to truly stifle the Michael Penix-led Washington Huskies, but when things were bad, they were really bad. There's a lot to replace on the defense, but they at least have some talented pieces to build around.

DL depth is a concern, but DE Prince Dorbah is a solid pass-rusher. Transfer LBs Zyrus Fiaseu and Keyshaun Elliot plus returnee Tate Romney give them a good core in the middle. The secondary will be heavily reliant on transfers, but FS Shamari Simmons provides some backend protection.