Josh Pate Breaks Down Mississippi State's Upset Over Arizona State

Mississippi State's Upset Victory

• 🏆 The Mississippi State Bulldogs secured a significant upset victory against the Arizona State Sun Devils, who were the defending Big 12 champions.
• 💡 This win marks Mississippi State's first non-conference ranked home win since 1991, a moment of significant enjoyment for their fanbase.

Key Game Statistics and Analysis

• 📊 A surprising statistic revealed that the winning team (Mississippi State) had 30 carries for 66 yards, while the losing team (Arizona State) had 51 carries for 251 yards.
• 🏈 Despite being down 17-3 at halftime, Arizona State's offense shifted heavily to the run in the second half, gaining 5.8 yards per carry and even taking the lead.

Mississippi State's Defensive Strength

• 🛡️ Mississippi State's defense, particularly their performance up front, was a key factor, shutting down Arizona State's passing game and limiting Jordan Tyson.
• ⚡ The defensive front's ability to disrupt Arizona State's offense was a marked improvement from the previous year.

Quarterback Play and Team Performance

• 🎯 A healthy Blake Shapen was crucial for Mississippi State, throwing touchdown passes of 47, 48, and 58 yards, including the game-winner.
• 🤔 Questions remain about Arizona State quarterback Sam Levitt's performance, with speculation about his 100% health impacting his play.

Broader College Football Context

• 🧐 Josh Pate expresses surprise that more people weren't predicting this outcome, suggesting that casual observers were misled by the idea of a "sleeper week."
• 📈 He categorizes the game as a "2.5 chalai game" and an "upset alert concern meter" at 8 and a half, indicating it was a closely watched potential upset.