After eking out a 27-24 win in Waco on Saturday, the Sun Devils will return to Tempe for a Friday night showcase, hosting the Horned Frogs of TCU in the Big 12 home opener.
TCU enters this matchup a perfect 3-0 to open the season, coming in at No. 24 in the most recent AP rankings after double-digit wins over North Carolina, Abilene Christian, and SMU. The Horned Frogs have put up at least 35 points in each game so far, ranking 23rd nationally in scoring offense with 41.7 points per game.
Junior quarterback Josh Hoover is the motor that runs the offense. Coming off a 2024 performance that saw him throw for nearly 4,000 yards, he comes in to this week with an even 1,000 yards through the air on the season. A loaded wide receiver room of Eric McAlister, Jordan Dwyer, and Joseph Manjack will be a nightmare for a Sun Devil secondary that held their own against a similarly loaded Baylor offense last week.
TCU’s Josh Hoover making a wild play out of structure on this TD to Eric McAlister in the Battle for the Iron Skillet.
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) September 20, 2025
Hoover came into today with a 79% adjusted completion rate. One of the most underrated QBs in the country. pic.twitter.com/u008u848At
Thankfully for the Sun Devil defense, TCU is not nearly as imposing on the ground. The Horned Frogs have utilized a committee of Kevorian Barnes, Jeremy Payne, Trent Battle and Nate Palmer, but were faced with the absense of Barnes last week against SMU due to a leg injury he sustained against Abilene Christian. At 174.7 yards per game TCU comes in ranked 64th nationally in rushing offense, but considering the competition and weapons available through the air, the focal point for the Devils while on defense should be the passing game.
Defensively, TCU is strongest in their secondary. The Horned Frogs finished 2024 with the 5th best coverage grade (90.5) in college football according to PFF, and are headlined by safeties Bud Clark and Jamel Johnson. Where the Sun Devils will see success on Friday will be in the short passing game with Sam Leavitt spreading the ball to his targets once again, but primarily on the ground.
While TCU enters at 39th nationally giving up just 107 yards per game on the ground, they have not faced a truly dynamic rushing attack, and with a healthy Kyson Brown this week, look for Coach Dillingham to prioritize the running game and expose the Frogs' defensive line.
Friday's matchup comes with the added fun (for fans) of a blackout game. Last season saw Arizona State knock off Utah in an upset that put the Sun Devils firmly on the road to the Big 12 championship. Will we see a similar result this week? Stay with us all week long as we preview this important Big 12 matchup.
The Sun Devils and Horned Frogs will kick off at 6pm Arizona time from Mountain America Stadium on Fox.