The Mississippi State Bulldogs and Arizona Wildcats face off on Saturday in a Week 2 college football showdown at Arizona stadium.
Mississippi State is a real unknown this season, but they looked good in the fist game against Memphis. At the end of the first quarter, they were up 14-0 and they never looked back as they cruised to the 49-23 victory. Will Rogers is under center for the Bulldogs, and he looked impressive in the first game completing 38 of his 49 passes for 450 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Rogers spread the ball around the field and there were four receivers that had at least 60 yards receiving. Rara Thomas was the top catching five passes for 81 yards and one touchdown.
On the other side of this matchup is the Arizona Wildcats and they are also a lot of unknowns surrounding them this season. In the first game against San Diego State, the offense was good scoring 38 points, and that was enough for the 18-point victory. Under center for Arizona is Jayden de Laura and he completed 22 of his 35 passes for 299 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. D.J. Williams had 14 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing caught eight passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Tetairoa McMillan caught three passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. In this game, if Arizona wants to secure a victory they are going to need the defense to be strong here.
Mississippi State is 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games. Arizona is 4-1 against the spread in their last five games on grass. The over is 4-1 in the Bulldogs' last five games on grass. The under is 4-1 in the Wildcats last five home games. The under is 11-4-1 in Arizona’s last 16 games on grass.
Jayden de Laura looked good in the first game of the season and I expect he is going to find success against this Mississippi State defense. I’m not sure it’s going to be enough to win this game, but they are going to find enough offense to keep this game close. Back Arizona against the spread.