The oldest rivalry in college sports writes its next chapter this weekend, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Arizona State will host their in-state rival, the Arizona Wildcats, for a weekend series with massive implications in the Big 12 race. The Sun Devils, ranked 24th in the nation, are riding high after sweeping Utah and crushing Cal State Fullerton earlier this week. They currently sit in second place in the conference standings.
Arizona was sitting at No. 23 in the polls just a week ago, but they've slumped hard since gaining national attention. A narrow win over Seattle University precipitated a series loss to Baylor, but the real red flag was getting blown out by Grand Canyon this past Tuesday.
The Wildcats are teetering on a full blown tailspin, but their metrics still look good. Their team ERA ranks 38th in the country and Arizona is 20th in RPI, a high mark. But the Sun Devils are 15th in RPI and have one of the most explosive offenses in the nation, along with a suddenly reliable pitching staff.
These teams met for a non-conference one-off earlier in the year, and Arizona took that one 3-2 with both teams going deep into their bullpen on a Tuesday night. But Arizona State now sees lefty ace Ben Jacobs taking the mound to set the tone against a Wildcats club who's forgotten how to hit in recent weeks.
This series could be a turning point for the Sun Devils, who are looking to cement themselves as one of the best clubs in the nation and continue their march towards Omaha. It all starts tonight, and you won't want to miss it.
How to watch Arizona State vs Arizona
The Sun Devils (20-9) and Wildcats (20-8) will throw out the first pitch at 6:30 PM MDT at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona.
The game will air on ESPN+ (subscription required).
Betting information
Arizona State comes into this game as a 1.5-run favorite, according to DraftKings sportsbook.
The Sun Devils are -160 on the moneyline, while the Wildcats are +124.
The over/under on total runs is 12.