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What to watch for as Mississippi State football travels to Arizona State

We'll be paying close attention to these factors when Mississippi State takes on Arizona State.

By Andrew Miller

Aug 31, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (22) reacts after a play against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones (22) reacts after a play against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images / Matt Bush-Imagn Images
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Mississippi State football has a huge game late Saturday night against the Arizona State Sun Devils. What are we watching for when the Bulldogs take the field?

Will Mississippi State play a cleaner game against Arizona State?

For as exciting as Mississippi State was to watch on offense in their season-opener, there was some sloppiness from the Bulldogs. State fumbled the ball three times, luckily recovering each time, and committed some untimely penalties that took away big plays. Those mistakes didn't matter against Eastern Kentucky, but they could prove far more costly against Arizona State. State needs to play a much cleaner game Saturday night.

Can the Bulldog offensive line protect Blake Shapen against ASU's pass rush?

Arizona State wants to play aggressive on defense to create negative plays and force turnovers. Their most talented pieces on that side of the ball are in their defensive front, especially DE Clayton Smith. The Mississippi State offensive line did a good job of protecting Blake Shapen in the passing game in Week 1, but that was against a much less talented defense. The Sun Devils present much more of a challenge for the Bulldog OL. They'll have to be on their game at handling the ASU pass-rushers. If they can give Shapen time, he should have chances to attack a young Sun Devil secondary.

Can the MSU defense limit the Sun Devil run game?

The Sun Devils are a run-first offense and will certainly look to lean on their ground game against Mississippi State. They have a great group of running backs, led by Cam Skattebo, and QB Sam Leavitt is an elusive runner. Given their talent in the backfield and that Leavitt is an inexperienced passer, ASU wants to run on early downs to set up short-yardage situations and create play-action opportunities. State needs to slow down the ASU rushing attack to force Leavitt into passing situations where he'll have to beat the Bulldogs with his arm. Now they'll have to be alert for the possibility of him scrambling in those spots, but if they can force ASU into long yardage, chances are they'll find success.

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