Both teams enter this game at 1-0 following wins in week 1 of the college football season as the Arizona Wildcats travel to take on the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. Arizona defeated the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at home by a score of 38-3 while the Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Southeastern Louisiana Lions by a score of 48-7 at home in week 1 of the college football season. 

Which team will improve to 2-0 to begin the season? Let’s take a look at how these teams played in week 1 of the college football season.

The Arizona Wildcats enter this game with a record of 1-0 following a 38-3 win at home against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in week 1 of the college football season and covered the 28.5-point spread as a home favorite. Arizona scored 38 points while compiling 478 total yards offensively which included 292 passing yards and 186 rushing yards while allowing 3 points and 275 total yards defensively which included 186 passing yards and 89 rushing yards. 

Jayden de Laura led the team in passing, completing 18 of 24 attempts for 285 yards with three touchdowns and an interception while rushing for 47 yards and one rushing touchdown on three attempts. Michael Wiley led the team in rushing with ten carries for 52 yards while adding six receptions for 57 yards. Tetairoa McMillan led the team in receiving, catching three of six targets for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Mississippi State enters this game with a record of 1-0 following a 48-7 win at home against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions, an FCS school, and covering the spread as a 31.5-point favorite at home. The Bulldogs scored 48 points while compiling 525 total yards offensively which included 227 passing yards and 298 rushing yards while allowing 7 points and 208 total yards defensively which included 125 passing yards and 83 rushing yards. 

Will Rogers led the team in passing, completing 20 of 29 attempts for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Jo’Quavious Marks led the team in rushing with 19 carries for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns while also leading the team in receiving, catching four of five targets for 59 yards.

BookMaker has the Mississippi State Bulldogs listed as 9.5-point favorites at home against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday in week 2 of the college football season. This will be the 2^nd time these teams have played each other in college football with the first matchup coming last season which resulted in a 39-17 win for the Mississippi State Bulldogs as well as a 12.5-point cover on the road as a favorite. 

Arizona is 1-0 ATS overall this season after finishing last season with a record of 6-6 ATS overall, 3-2 ATS on the road, and 5-5 ATS as an underdog while Mississippi State is 1-0 ATS overall, 1-0 ATS at home, and 1-0 ATS as a favorite this season after finishing last year with a record of 7-5-1 ATS overall, 4-2-1 ATS at home, and 6-3-1 ATS as a favorite.

Mississippi State is the more experienced team as well as the more talented team this season. The Bulldogs won on the road last season against the Arizona Wildcats by a score of 39-17 and covered the 12.5-point spread as a road favorite. I look for the Bulldogs to get the win and cover the spread again this season which is why I am buying the .5 point and taking the Mississippi State Bulldogs -9 on BookMaker for this matchup in week 2 of the college football season.