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The Arizona Wildcats take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Check out our college football odds series for our Arizona Mississippi State prediction and pick. Find how to watch Arizona Mississippi State.
It just doesn't feel the same in Starkville — or in the rest of college football — without Mike Leach. “The Pirate” died after the 2022 regular season ended, his absence depriving college football of one of it most original and interesting characters. Beyond being a singularly unique figure as a personality and media darling, Leach was a major innovator who profoundly changed the way the sport was played. Leach's passing concepts and route combinations helped make college football much more friendly to the passing attack, the need to spread the field, and to the reality that higher-scoring games are more commonplace. Leach helped create a sport in which offense, not defense, was the central component of most teams and the more indispensable element of a championship formula.
Mississippi State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, who worked under Leach last year, is now the head coach of the Bulldogs. It will be fascinating to see how the MSU offense changes under his guidance. The first real test for MSU this season comes on Saturday against the Arizona Wildcats, who didn't make a bowl game in 2022 but were much improved from 2021 under coach Jedd Fisch. Arizona is recruiting better and building its brand under Fisch. The goal for the Cats this season: Make a bowl game.
Here are the Arizona-Mississippi State College Football odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
College Football Odds: Arizona-Mississippi State Odds
Arizona Wildcats: +9.5 (-105)
Mississippi State Bulldogs: -9.5 (-115)
Over: 60.5 (-114)
Under: 60.5 (-106)
How To Watch Arizona vs Mississippi State
TV: SEC Network
Stream: ESPN Plus
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT
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*Watch Arizona vs Mississippi State LIVE on fuboTV (click for free trial)*
Why Arizona Could Cover the Spread
Arizona quarterback Jayden de Laura is very talented. Whether at Washington State a few years ago or at Arizona last year, de Laura is an electric talent who can make extraordinary highlight-reel plays. He increases the scope of what is possible for Arizona and its offense. Both as a runner and a passer, de Laura demands a defense's complete attention. When he is on his game, Arizona is tough to beat regardless of the opponent.
Mississippi State is a team in transition this year after the death of Mike Leach. It's hard to know what this team's offensive identity will be. Regardless of what the Bulldogs try to achieve, these early weeks of the season might not be especially polished or precise. A lot of players on the offensive side of the ball will be adjusting to a new way of teaching offense — not necessarily scheme, but simply hearing instructions in a different way with Leach no longer around. That could limit this team's ceiling in September, even though some growth and evolution could emerge in October and November.
Why Mississippi State Could Cover the Spread
De Laura is a very talented quarterback for Arizona, but he is also very mistake-prone. He is a feast-or-famine quarterback: amazing when everything is clicking but a turnover faucet when not in rhythm. Arnett and the MSU defensive staff can confuse de Laura and find ways to create turnovers from the Arizona offense. That is the most direct path for Mississippi State to win this game.
Final Arizona-Mississippi State Prediction & Pick
The Arizona offense might make some big plays, but it will also make some big mistakes. That should be enough for Mississippi State.
Final Arizona-Mississippi State Prediction & Pick: Mississippi State -9.5
