For the first time in the Jebb Lebby era, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will travel to the desert to face Arizona State in a late-night Southeastern Conference and Big 12 matchup. Following the Eastern Kentucky game, some questions remain on the Mississippi State side of things, but the Bulldogs have an early opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the season. A win over Arizona State and the Bulldogs would be in an excellent position to reach the postseason and continue to grow the Jeff Lebby brand at Mississippi State as the program turns the corner to an exciting future for Bulldogs Football.

Last week, Mississippi State showed unparalleled energy, which the faithful at Davis Wade Stadium fed off of, creating an energetic environment on Saturday night as they dominated Eastern Kentucky.

As Mississippi State turns the focus to a first-ever meeting with Arizona State late on Saturday night, the message is the same: keep building, bring the show to Tempe, Arizona, where the Bulldogs look to improve to 2-0 before hosting Toledo next Saturday night at Davis Wade Stadium.

As far as Arizona State goes, the Sun Devils opened the season with a dominating 48-7 home win over Wyoming. Coached by Kenny Dillingham, in his second season, Dillingham is 4-9 as Head Coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils. Due to the death of the Pac-12, Arizona State is now a member of the Big 12 conference, where they enter their first season as a conference member. Of interesting note, Arizona State has never beaten a Southeastern Conference Football team and will look to do so on Saturday night against Mississippi State.

Since 2018, Arizona State has held opponents to less than 30 points in 42 out of the last 68 games.

For Mississippi State, the Bulldogs will look to continue the offensive firepower with Blake Shapen leading the charge. Last week, the Bulldogs put up 56 points; some came on the defensive side of the ball, and a touchdown on special teams. Watch Coach Lebby draw up more plays for the Mississippi State offensive unit to score from afar. Last week, the Bulldogs scored on played number three from scrimmage and never looked back. Mississippi State will continue the swagger from last week’s offensive performance against an Arizona State team that struggled last season against teams with similar offensive units.

Expect Branden Jennings, Brylan Lanier, Stone Banton, Joseph Head Jr, Ashun Shepphard, and Kalvin Dinkins to continue their dominance on defense. Last week, from multiple sacks to an enormous amount of solo tackles, the matchup with Arizona State will be an opportunity for the Bulldog’s defensive unit to improve before conference play begins on the 21st against Florida.

The difference maker for Mississippi State will likely come in the form of the returning game, where Kevin Coleman Jr is an absolute menace. Last week, Coleman returned 117 yards and about broke two or more touchdown runbacks for the Bulldogs. His 117 yards in returning yards was the most in a single Mississippi State football game dating back to 2010. A single run back for a touchdown could be the difference maker for Jeff Lebby and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Mississippi State and Arizona State will play late at night in Tempe, Arizona, with a kickoff slated for 9:30 back in Starkville.

( Photo credits: Mississippi State Football on X)