Arizona State faces conference-opening challenge against Baylor

After a 2-1 record in the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Sun Devils turn to the Big 12 for the rest of the regular season, opening on the road in Waco against the Baylor Bears.

The Bears were one of the hottest teams in the conference last season, winning their final six regular season games and remaining mathematically alive for the Big 12 championship game until completion of the final week of the season.

Dave Aranda turned around a Bears team that finished 3-9 in 2023 to a tie for 5th in 2024 before losing to LSU in the Texas Bowl, easing speculation that he would be on the hot seat entering his 6th season as head coach.

The Bears come in at 2-1 to start the season, losing their opener at home against Auburn before back-to-back wins, including their Week 2 double-overtime thriller on the road at then-No. 17 ranked SMU.

Like the majority of the Big 12 the Bears possess a potent offense, led by senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson. In his first season as starting quarterback he was nothing short of impressive, completing just over 62% of his passes for 3,071 yards and 28 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. Through three games he is on pace to exceed those marks, accumulating 1,070 yards, 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, including a 4 touchdown performance against SMU.

Robertson is aided by the return of his top two targets from 2024 in Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins. After combining for 1,321 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago, they already have combined for 501 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. Alabama transfer Kobe Prentice has been a favorite target in the red zone with a team-leading 4 touchdown catches, and Texas State transfer Kole Wilson brings an additional 1,300+ yards over his last two seasons to a potent receiving room.

Baylor's running back room was touted as the best backfield in the conference, but it's been redshirt sophomore Bryson Washington that has gotten the majority of the carries. A 1,000-yard rusher last season, Washington has averaged over 100 yards per game on the ground this season with a season-high 135 yards and two touchdowns last week against FCS Samford.

Baylor's offensive line was one of their strengths last season, allowing the 4th-fewest tackles for loss in FBS after being regarded as one of the worst lines in the conference. Coleton Price made the preseason Rimington Award watchlist for best center in college football, while Omar Aigbedion was named to the Outland Award watchlist for best interior lineman.

On the defensive side of the ball, Baylor is a bit of an enigma. Dave Aranda will be the primary playcaller for a defense that allowed 26.7 points per game in 2024 (81st nationally), though much improved from a 116th ranking in 2023. They lost their top sack getters in Matt Jones and Treven Ma'ae (7.5 sacks combined) to graduation, but have seen an immediate impact from Oregon transfer linebacker Emar'rion Winston with two sacks so far.

Fellow linebacker Keaton Thomas is seen as the anchor of the defense, returning as the Bears tackling leader from 2024 with 114 total tackles. Samu Taumanupepe and Jackie Marshall look to lead the way on the defensive line, while safety Devyn Bobby is the carryover impact player in the secondary, finishing third on the team in 2024 with 80 tackles and tying for the team lead with 3 interceptions.

Knowing what we know about the Big 12 as a whole, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring shootout, and it could all come down to who has the ball last at the end of the 4th quarter. Stay with us as we preview this matchup all week leading up to Saturday's kickoff. FOX will carry the game at 4:30pm Arizona time from McLane Stadium in Waco.