Expert Previews Arizona State-Mississippi State

Kenny Dillingham is taking his Arizona State program into what are near-uncharted waters in week two of the 2025 season.

The Sun Devils are seeking to win their first ever true road game against an SEC opponent today against the rebuilding Mississippi State - the number 11 ranking they held going into week one was the third highest in program history as well.

Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) runs after a reception against NAU during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

ESPN college football analyst Bill Connelly rightfully listed the matchup as one to watch in the evening slate on college football Saturday.

More from Connelly:

"MSU was sloppy early against Southern Miss last week, and Arizona State woke up only marginally against Northern Arizona. Both won, obviously, but now we get to find out how each will really start the season. Is ASU's Sam Leavitt really going to throw only to Jordyn Tyson again (12 catches, 141 yards last week)? Can MSU run well enough to keep pressure off of Blake Shapen?"

Current line: ASU -6.5 | SP+ projection: ASU by 9.7 | FPI projection: ASU by 1.0

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Isaac Smith (2) closes in at Mountain America Stadium on Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The tale of the tape for both teams was that they played subpar football for portions of their respective season openers. Mississippi State was tied with Southern Miss well into the second quarter before pulling away in quarter three, while the Sun Devils withheld a second quarter in which the offense stalled out and the offensive line committed many unnecessary penalties.

This is a true litmus test for both squads - the Sun Devils return much of the starting talent from last season, while the Bulldogs bring in many new players via the transfer portal.

The Mississippi State run game versus the stout ASU defensive line is another key linear matchup to watch. The Bulldogs roster three capable backs that can aid in QB Blake Shapen settling into the game, while the Sun Devil front seven contributed to the best run defense in the Big 12 a season ago.

Arizona State-Mississippi State is set to kickoff at 4:30 MST and is being broadcast on ESPN2.

Read more on what the strong week one showing from the Big 12 means for the Sun Devils here, and on what Arizona State players could fit on the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

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