ASU Football vs. NMSU: Start time, TV channel, and how to watch online

ASU football open up the 2017 season Thursday versus New Mexico State as the two schools meet for the first time since 1999.

Finally, ASU football is back.

The Sun Devils kick off the 2017 season Thursday versus New Mexico State as the two programs meet for the first time since 1999.

Arizona State will look to improve from last season’s disappointing finish missing a bowl game for the first time in the Todd Graham era.

The Sun Devils enter the 2017 season with renewed optimism with a large majority of starters from last season’s team returning plus the addition of new offensive coordinator Billy Napier and defensive coordinator Phil Bennett.

Manny Wilkins has been the named the starting quarterback for Arizona State, but if the Sun Devils pull away from the Aggies, don’t be surprised if Blake Barnett gets some playing time.

The running back position is arguably Arizona State’s deepest position as Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard are back for their senior seasons with freshmen Eno Benjamin and Trelon Smith behind them.

The front seven of the Sun Devils should be formidable with the likes of defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood and linebackers Koron Crump and JoJo Wicker leading the way.

The secondary is what people will be keeping an eye on as it has been one of the more porous units in the country over the last two seasons and it’s the position group that has endured the greatest turnover.

TV Information:

Kickoff: 7:42 p.m. PST with coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. PST

TV: Pac-12 Network and Pac-12 Arizona

Stream: Pac-12.com and Pac-12 Now app

Broadcast team: Roxy Bernstein, Anthony Herron and Lewis Johnson

This game is one of the games that the Pac-12 Conference will experiment shortening the game to help improve the viewing experience for fans in stadium and viewers at home.

The Arizona State-New Mexico State game will feature reduced break times in between the first and second quarters as well between the third and fourth quarters with halftime reduced from 20 to 15 minutes.