Arizona State is set to visit Ames on November 1 to play Iowa State; it is not only another Saturday game for Arizona State, but a contest in pride, development, and even survival. To the Sun Devils, this game carries weight that Iowa State simply doesn’t have to shoulder.
Arizona is struggling to remain relevant. At 35, the season of the Sun Devils has not been as intended. Their crime has stalled too frequently, with only slightly more than 21 points per game this season.
Meanwhile, Iowa State’s defense remains one of the toughest and most organized units in the country, surrendering just 17.3 points per game while consistently shutting down opposing playmakers. That is not a cordial battle against an ASU offense that is yet to find rhythm and identity.
The greatest nightmare of ASU is protection. The Iowa State front seven is also the best in the top ten in the country in terms of quarterback pressures, and that may not augur well with a Sun Devils offensive line that has been having a difficult time providing any form of solace to the young quarterback in the pocket. If ASU fails to establish the run or slow down Iowa State’s relentless pass rush, this could turn ugly fast.
However, the urgency in ASU is not about Xs and Os. This is a team that is struggling to find direction. The pressure on the coaching staff continues to mount. Each defeat chips away at the narrative of progress that has been promoted since the rebuild began. A victory in Ames would not only lift morale but also purchase time, faith, and perhaps even a certain degree of trust among the fan base, who are starving to find some signs of life.
However, Iowa State is comfortable at 53. They’re not desperate. They are already in the bowl discussion, and their identity is sound, defense-first, methodical, and reliable. To them, they would feel the loss but not the derailment of their season.
For Arizona State, though? A loss here could end it. Their bowl hopes would fade, the pressure on staff would intensify, and the whispers about where this program is truly headed would grow louder.
That’s why this game matters more to ASU. It’s not just about beating Iowa State. It’s about proving they can still fight when their back are against the wall. And right now, no team in college football needs that kind of win more than the Sun Devils.