Big 12 Rivalry Showdown: Arizona State vs. Arizona
No. 14 Arizona State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12, ranked 16th in the College Football Playoff) will face off against Arizona (4-7, 2-6) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EST, broadcasted on Fox. According to BetMGM, Arizona State is favored to win by 9 points. The historical record leans in favor of Arizona, who holds a 51-45-1 edge in their head-to-head meetings.
The stakes are high for Arizona State as they seek to not only overcome recent defeats against their rivals but also secure a position in the Big 12 championship game. A victory against the Wildcats would nearly guarantee the Sun Devils a place in the title game scheduled for December 7 in Arlington, Texas. They are currently one of four teams tied with a 6-2 conference record, but hold favorable tiebreaker situations. Conversely, Arizona has experienced a disappointing season, winning just one of its last seven games with their last victory occurring against Houston two weeks ago.
A key focal point of this matchup will be Arizona’s defense against Arizona State’s running back, Cam Skattebo. The Wildcats have had difficulties defending against the run, ranking 93rd in the nation by surrendering an average of 164.3 yards per game. Skattebo, renowned for his aggressive running style, promises to be a significant challenge for Arizona’s defense.
In terms of standout players, Arizona State’s QB Sam Leavitt is crucial for the team. While Skattebo garners significant attention in the offense, Leavitt’s performance has been pivotal for the Sun Devils. The transfer from Michigan State has accumulated 2,153 passing yards with 18 touchdowns against just five interceptions throughout the season.
For Arizona, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is a player to watch as he is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick next year. Throughout his three seasons at Tucson, McMillan has established himself as one of the program’s top players, ranking third nationally with 1,251 receiving yards and recently becoming Arizona’s all-time leader with 3,355 receiving yards.
In terms of historical context, the Territorial Cup, awarded to the winner of this rivalry, is the oldest rivalry trophy in the nation, originating in 1899. Arizona has secured victories in the last two encounters, defeating Arizona State 59-23 last season and 38-35 two years ago. Moreover, Arizona State recently achieved consecutive wins against AP Top 25 teams, marking their first such feat since 2014. Arizona QB Noah Fifita has thrown for 43 career touchdowns, just two shy of moving into sixth place on the school’s all-time list. The Sun Devils are enjoying their best start since 2014, and Arizona kicker Tyler Loop is on track to establish a new school record for field goals made percentage, currently holding an 84.81% rate entering the game. Notably, Arizona State has not had to punt on their opening drive all season long.
As the game approaches, fans are anticipating an exhilarating clash in this storied rivalry.