David Pollack Names Major College Football Program That Will ‘Struggle to Win Games’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As Labor Day weekend approaches, one of college football’s most volatile conferences is already beginning to steal headlines.
Advertisement
During Tuesday’s “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack” and PFF’s Brent Rollins, the topic turned to Arizona State’s game against Mississippi State on September 6.
Rollins called the Week 2 matchup a “sneaky test,” warning ASU couldn’t afford a slip. Pollack, however, was blunt.
“Mississippi State is very un-good. Mississippi State is going to struggle to win football games… It’s Starkville and it’s Stark Vegas and it’s cowbells and all that stuff… I’m not worried about that… I think the conversation starts with Arizona State and then everybody else underneath them,” Pollack concluded.
Advertisement
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby reacts to a play during the second quarter of a college football game.© Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Mississippi State: From 2–10 Collapse to 2025 Overhaul
Under first-year coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs went 2-10 overall and winless (0-8) in SEC play.
Turnovers, injuries at quarterback and defensive breakdowns led to an average of just 25.8 points per game, third-worst in the SEC, while surrendering 34.1 points per contest (worst in the conference).
In the offseason, Lebby leaned hard on the transfer portal, adding 34 transfers and 27 enrollees to address depth issues, leading to a No. 18 transfer rank and No. 31 overall recruiting rank, per 247Sports.
Advertisement
Some of the biggest names include quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (Florida State), defensive lineman Red Hibbler (NC State), receiver Brenan Thompson (Oklahoma) and running back Fluff Bothwell (South Alabama).
Unfortunately, with early tests against Southern Mississippi, Arizona State and Northern Illinois before the SEC gauntlet of Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss, ESPN BET has their projected win total at a mere 3.5.
What Pollack’s “Forks Up” Moment Means
With all that being said, Pollack’s dismissal of Mississippi State might say more about Arizona State’s elevated standing in the Big 12 than it does about the Bulldogs’ struggles.
Advertisement
Last year, the Sun Devils clinched their first conference title since 2007, finishing the year with an 11-3 record (7-2 in Big 12), capped by a 45-19 victory over No. 16 Iowa State before losing a double-overtime 39-31 thriller to Texas in the Peach Bowl (CFP Quarterfinals).
Conversely, oddsmakers have ASU projected to win 8.5 games, making them the favorites in the Big 12 alongside Kansas State and Texas Tech.
For Arizona State, the Week 2 opener at Davis Wade Stadium provides the perfect opportunity for the Sun Devils to take out an iconic college football brand, while for the Bulldogs, it’s an early measuring stick against a playoff-caliber program.
Advertisement
Related: Robert Griffin III Makes Stance Clear on Shedeur Sanders After Browns Practice
Related: Shedeur Sanders Makes $500K Purchase After Signing NFL Contract
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
