The challenge of facing the Mississippi State offense

After last week’s big win against Wyoming, ASU football must turn the page and look to Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are led by first-year head coach Jeff Lebby. Lebby was the offensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners last year and the Ole Miss Rebels before that.

Preparing for Mississippi State’s offensive attack

2023 Oklahoma Sooners offense

Last season while Lebby was the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma, the Sooners had an explosive offensive.

• Third in yards per game, 507
• Seventh in total yards, 6591
• Sixth in total passing yards, 4223
• Sixth in passing yards per game, 324.8
• 39th in total rushing yards, 2368
• 35th in rushing yards per game, 182.2
• Fifth in total points, 542
• Fourth in points per game, 41.7
• Ninth in yards per play, 6.7
• Ninth in plays per game, 76.2
• 12th in seconds per play, Oklahoma ran a play every 22.9 seconds on average

Defending the Mississippi State offense

Undoubtedly this will be one of the toughest assignments for defensive coordinator Brian Ward and the defense this season. Last season, ASU faced a few offenses that were similar to the play style of Oklahoma. These included the likes of Oregon and Arizona.

Both the Ducks and Wildcats took advantage of a depleted Sun Devils defense but Ward and staff learned a lot about the style of play.

The one area where the Sun Devils struggled last season against this style of offense was against “curl” routes. When a receiver would break back toward the ball the ASU defense had difficulty gathering and making tackles.

On film, Mississippi State does a lot of curl routes, but they do them deeper than most teams. As noted above, Lebby and his offense were near the top in yards per play at over six yards per play.

Secondary focus

Arizona State’s defense will have to decide how they want to line up against the Bulldogs’ receivers. Do the corners lineup in press coverage and risk a receiver going past? Or do they respect the speed, but risk getting beat in shorter routes?

On a positive note, the secondary for the Sun Devils has improved from last season. Additions like Laterrance Welch and Kamari Wilson add a blanket in the secondary.

Lastly, what makes this offense so difficult to go against is the tempo that it brings to the table. Runs and completed passes will allow the offense to move at its pace. While ASU has been practicing a lot of tempo in practice, the game is a different animal and we will see how it plays out in the game.

A player’s perspective

Newcomer defensive back Myles “Ghost” Rowser spoke on what he thinks Mississippi State’s plan of attack will be.

“They are going to try to trick us, run and pass, so we are going to get our looks together….. I have faith in Coach Ward to put us in the right spots,” Roswer said.

As for defensive lineman Justin Wodtly, he faced Lebby last season when he was at Cincinnati.

Wodtly noted how fast the offense goes but also mentioned that there are a few ways to work around it and be successful.

“Getting off the ball and being technically sound, controlling what we can control, and playing hard,” Wodtly said.

If the defense can get their signs and get set in time he feels that they will have a good chance to slow down the Bulldogs offense.

Arizona State football plays Mississippi State tonight at 7:30 p.m. AZT.

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