Mississippi State vs Arizona State: Key Matchups to Watch

The Bulldogs travel to Tempe in an important showdown with Arizona State. Rich Cirminiello gives his 3 key matchups that'll decide the outcome.

Aug 31, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs players react after defeating the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Just how good is Jeff Lebby's first team in Starkville? We're about to get a much better idea when Mississippi State travels to Tempe to play 1-0 Arizona State.

The potential of both teams is somewhat of an unknown following Week 1 routs of overmatched opponents. Actually, the Sun Devils looked particularly good after rolling Wyoming, 48-7, in a wire-to-wire demolition of the Cowboys. As MSU prepares for its first-ever game with ASU, these are the three matchups that will decide the outcome Saturday night.

3. MSU Tackles Makylan Pounders & Albert Reese IV vs. ASU ED Clayton Smith

Lebby wants to unleash QB Blake Shapen so he can get the ball in the hands of his playmaking receivers, Kevin Coleman Jr., Jordan Mosley, and Mario Craver. However, Smith is a backfield wrecker who must be controlled by the tackle tandem of Pounders and Reese.

2. MSU FS Isaac Smith vs. ASU RB Cam Skattebo

Skattebo is the Sun Devils' do-everything weapon out of the backfield. It'll be up to Smith to come up big, especially as veteran safety Corey Ellington remains out with an injury. Smith is a rising star and a terrific open field tackler who bagged 11 stops in the opener.

‼️SKAT. WILDCAT.‼️

Cam Skattebo (@camskattebo5 ) takes the snap in wildcat formation and rushes for a TD@SunDevilSource pic.twitter.com/IMpgKdWDbA

— Gabriella Chernoff (@gabbyjchernoff) September 1, 2024

1. MSU CB Brice Pollock vs. ASU QB Sam Leavitt

The Bulldog secondary is youthful and untested. Pollock is the veteran, and he's a sophomore who played just 253 snaps last year. The Sun Devils love the potential of Leavitt, a young Michigan State transfer. Pollock must cut off half the field on Leavitt, or else it'll be a long night for the MSU D.

Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Shane Hooks (3) is tackled by Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Brice Pollock (34) after a catch during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images / John Reed-Imagn Images

Mississippi State vs. Arizona State: Top 5 Sun Devils to Watch