ASU Football: Three keys against Mississippi State

TEMPE, Ariz. — ASU football is tasked with a huge challenge tonight against Mississippi State. The Bulldogs come in fresh off a strong 56-7 win over Eastern Kentucky. The Sun Devils had a good start themselves winning 48-7 vs Wyoming. Arizona State football has a chance to make history in the program, as the Sun Devils are looking for their first win over an SEC opponent.

Kenny Dillingham is looking to break another record this weekend by breaking the all-time student attendance record, just a week after getting the second most students at a game. His message all week to the students has been about creating and being a part of history and making this “the best environment” in college football this week.

Three keys to victory for the ASU football

1. Running the football

Since arriving in Tempe, Kenny Dillingham has made a conservative effort to run the football. Last week vs Wyoming, the Sun Devils racked up 241 rushing yards. This week they should have another opportunity for success on the ground. Mississippi State allowed 126 rushing yards on 34 carries last week.

Running the football will also allow an opportunity to possess the ball more and give the defense a chance to rest, with the fast tempo of Mississippi State’s offense. However, it will also allow ASU to set up more downfield throws for Sam Leavitt and the offense.

2. Responding to adversity

Kenny Dillingham has talked all offseason thus far about wanting to see how his team responds to adversity and that’s when he will know how good his team is. Since they did not have too in last week’s blowout win, it will be imperative for the Sun Devils to stay together and trust one another once adversity strikes.

We didn’t face any adversity, and that’s what I’m hoping we get,” Dillingham said. “We need somebody to beat us and catch a home run post or run over our linebacker, and somebody miss a tackle. I want to see our guys respond to that, and until somebody beats us and our guys make a mistake, I truly won’t know where we are. I know we’re talented and have the ability, but the ability to trust in big moments is still a question mark in my mind.”

3. In-game offensive adjustments

Since Mississippi State has a brand new coaching staff, there is some uncertainty about what to expect from the defense. It will be paramount that the Sun Devil offense will make in-game adjustments to new and unexpected schemes they might see in the game. Since most coordinators do not show all their “cards” in week 1, ASU will have to adjust on the fly.

“We’ve checked every box except the one thing they haven’t done in over ten years,” Dillingham explained. “I’m not going to get carried away in one game of film. I know the identities of the coordinators and where they come from. If you can be an odd five-technique team and move a linebacker down to the defensive end when you’re in four down, then you can easily be an odd four-i team and make that same weakside linebacker an overhand. We face so much four down with our team in practice that we just have to prep for odd weak overhang, add three-high safeties, and mix in some four-down looks.”

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