#12 Arizona State Falls Short vs. Mississippi State: The Good, The Bad, and The Lingering Questions

Arizona State entered Saturday’s showdown with Mississippi State ranked No. 12 in the country, carrying the weight of expectation after an uneven but successful season opener. But when the final whistle blew, the Sun Devils once again found themselves asking familiar questions about discipline, defensive execution, and finishing games.

This was a matchup that tested ASU on multiple levels. Mississippi State didn’t shy away from the fight, exploiting lapses in execution and seizing control when it mattered most. For ASU, the result was more of the same frustrating trend we’ve seen in the Kenny Dillingham era: stretches of brilliance undone by costly mistakes and inconsistency.

Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the takeaways from Arizona State’s loss in Starkville.

The Good:

Running Game Steps Up

Despite missing featured back Kyson Brown, Arizona State’s rushing attack delivered nearly 200 yards on the ground. It wasn’t just one player carrying the load — it was a collective effort from the backfield that proved this unit has depth and resilience. The offensive line created lanes, and the backs punished Mississippi State for overcommitting to stopping the pass.

That kind of production, especially in a tough road environment, is something ASU can build on. It showed that the ground game can remain a strength, even when the top option is sidelined.

Clayton Smith’s Breakout Performance

Defensively, one of the bright spots was edge rusher Clayton Smith. The junior wreaked havoc on the Bulldogs’ offensive line, tallying two sacks and several pressures that kept Mississippi State’s quarterback uncomfortable.

Smith has long been touted as a player with massive upside, and Saturday felt like his breakout. If ASU can pair Smith’s pass-rushing ability with more consistent coverage on the back end, the defense has the tools to be disruptive.

The Bad

Penalties Continue to Haunt Arizona State

For the second straight week, penalties killed momentum and extended drives for the opponent. Whether it was false starts in key situations or undisciplined flags on defense, ASU repeatedly shot itself in the foot. In a game decided by execution, those self-inflicted wounds loomed large.

Discipline has to become a priority if this team wants to live up to its top-15 billing. Championship contenders don’t make a habit of gifting free yards.

Defensive Inconsistency

Yes, Clayton Smith had a huge night — but beyond him, the defense struggled to contain Mississippi State for four quarters. Missed tackles, blown assignments, and an inability to get off the field on third down plagued the Sun Devils.

This has become a recurring theme: flashes of pressure and physicality followed by breakdowns that swing momentum. ASU’s defense has the talent, but consistency remains missing.

Playing Only One Half of Football

Perhaps the most frustrating part of Saturday’s loss was ASU’s inability to play a complete game. Once again, the Sun Devils looked sharp in stretches, only to fade in others. Whether it was starting fast and cooling off, or rallying late after a slow beginning, the pattern is clear — ASU isn’t stringing together 60 minutes of football.

Against quality opponents, that’s the difference between winning and losing.

Play Calling Questions

Fans and analysts alike are scratching their heads at some of the offensive play calling. While the run game was effective, ASU often drifted away from it in key moments. Third-and-short situations became needlessly complicated. Red zone trips lacked creativity.

Kenny Dillingham and his staff need to strike a better balance between trusting their weapons and overthinking critical plays. The talent is there; the execution and sequencing have to improve.

Final Thoughts

Arizona State is still a very good football team. They’re ranked in the top 15 for a reason, and the flashes of potential on both sides of the ball prove the ceiling is high. But the same issues — penalties, defensive inconsistency, half-game performances, and questionable play calling — are preventing this team from taking the next step.

The Sun Devils can’t afford to keep repeating the same mistakes if they want to remain a legitimate Big 12 contender and College Football Playoff hopeful. The schedule doesn’t get easier, and the margin for error is shrinking.

If Saturday was a wake-up call, now is the time to answer it.