Every team that has to play Arizona State during the 2025 season will have that matchup circled on their calendars. Being the defending Big 12 champions comes with a gigantic target that will be painted on the Sun Devils' backs.
Two matchups this season won't be played on the traditional college football Saturday, however. Friday the program announced that the conference revealed which games will be played during the week next season.
Friday Night Lights 🔥
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) March 7, 2025
🗓️ Friday, September 26 vs TCU
🗓️ Friday, November 28 vs Arizona #ForksUp /// #ActivateTheValley pic.twitter.com/bCnXuYuZHZ
Two games: Sept. 26 against TCU and Nov. 28 against Arizona will be played on Fridays, both at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. The TCU game will be just the ninth time since 2011 that the team will play a home game during the week.
Arizona State football schedule made that much harder by weekday games
Playing during the week has not been particularly friendly to the Sun Devils. Since 2011, the team has a 5-6 record not playing conference games on Saturdays. However, it's 2-6 at home during those slots, with the victories coming more recently in the 2024 and 2021 seasons. That record doesn't include Territorial Cup games played on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Fans should be optimistic, though. The 2024 season demonstrated that the fanbase can turn Mountain America Stadium back into the impenetrable fortress we all knew it to be for decades. The heat will do its job but if the fans show up and get loud, this team will be just as hard to beat as it was last year.
If there are any opponents ASU should be thoroughly tested against, it would be TCU and Arizona. The Horned Frogs and Wildcats didn't have their seasons go as planned in 2024 and will be looking to take out that frustration on the team that took advantage of their misfortunes.
Get ready for some prime Friday night lights in Tempe, folks. These should measure up to be some must-watch affairs next season.