The September 6, 2025 matchup between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville sets up as one of the more intriguing non-conference showdowns in the early part of the season, pitting a program on the rise in the SEC against a proven Big 12 contender with playoff aspirations. Arizona State enters this game with the confidence of a defending Big 12 championship and a College Football Playoff berth still fresh in memory, and their season-opening 38–19 win over Northern Arizona highlighted just how dangerous quarterback Sam Leavitt can be, as he threw for two touchdowns, ran for two more, and showcased the dual-threat skill set that makes him the centerpiece of Kenny Dillingham’s high-tempo offense. The Sun Devils’ offensive line provided him with time to operate, their receivers found space consistently against man coverage, and the running game was efficient enough to keep defenses honest, creating balance that will be vital against an SEC front seven. Mississippi State, meanwhile, also began its season with a win, extending its remarkable streak of opening-week victories to eight straight under five different coaches, and in Jeff Lebby’s second season in charge, the Bulldogs are looking to pair his offensive creativity with a defensive front that has the physicality to cause problems for even elite opponents.

While Arizona State is clearly the more heralded team on paper, Mississippi State’s home-field advantage at Davis Wade Stadium is real, and SEC speed combined with crowd energy makes them a dangerous underdog capable of making this a far tighter contest than outsiders might expect. Strategically, Arizona State will lean on Leavitt’s ability to extend plays and keep drives alive with his legs, hoping to put the Bulldogs’ defense on its heels and force them into mismatches in the secondary, while also testing Mississippi State’s linebackers in space with quick throws and tempo-driven sequences. Defensively, ASU will look to take away chunk plays and force Mississippi State’s quarterbacks into high-pressure third downs, knowing that turnovers or missed assignments could swing momentum quickly in a hostile environment. For the Bulldogs, the game plan is to slow the tempo, establish a run game that can chew clock, and pressure Leavitt enough to disrupt timing and rhythm, as forcing Arizona State into uncomfortable down-and-distance scenarios may be their only path to controlling the game. Special teams and field position will play an outsized role, as early September games often come down to hidden yardage and composure in tight moments, particularly for underdogs trying to hang within striking distance. From a betting perspective, both teams enter 1–0 ATS after covering in their openers, but Arizona State’s national profile has them installed as a favorite, while Mississippi State’s track record of performing well at home has attracted attention from bettors intrigued by the possibility of an SEC underdog rising to the occasion. Ultimately, this matchup comes down to identity and execution: if Arizona State’s offense runs cleanly and Leavitt stays poised, they have the firepower to put the game away, but if Mississippi State controls tempo, wins the line of scrimmage, and rides the energy of Starkville, they could turn this into one of the weekend’s more compelling surprises.

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