Today's game will be, without question, the biggest game of the year for Arizona State. With two losses already, one of them a conference loss, the Sun Devils can't afford to drop another and remain in the Big 12 title race.
At the same time, they're facing the frontrunner in the conference, undefeated No. 7 Texas Tech. It's a lopsided matchup, but Arizona State is playing in front of their own fans - where they're undefeated the last two seasons - and they get Sam Leavitt back, while the Red Raiders will be playing their backup quarterback in place of injured Behren Morton.
Can the Sun Devils capitalize? Our writers have some varying degrees of confidence in the team.
Austen Bundy (4-2)
As much as you may think I'm glad to not be the only pessimist on this panel, I'm not. I was looking forward to this game all year before life's challenges got in the way for this squad. However, adversity builds character and this team has proven it can tackle difficult challenges. This just appears to be a Cam Skattebo-level challenge and our tackling has not been at its best this season. It happens.
I'm still hoping for a miracle upset like saw against BYU last year but for these purposes we'll stick to realism.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 38-21
Andrew Hayslett (4-2)
Sam Leavitt will return and the offense will look good. This game will be a back and forth game that sees the whoever has the ball last will have the opportunity to win.
Texas Tech will have the ball last and kick a last second field goal. However if Jeff Sims starts everything will be a different story.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 33-30
Tom Hardon (4-2)
I've tried to find any ray of sunshine that I can for this matchup, and there really isn't much to be seen. Behren Morton is listed as questionable for Texas Tech, indicating that backup Will Hammond is in line for the start. With Hammond under center, Tech's running game should be front and center behind running back Cameron Dickey.
While I'm hoping to see some Mountain America Magic, I don't expect the game to be as close as the final score will indicate.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 34-20
David Howman (4-2)
I can't believe I'm going to be the optimist here, but I'll roll with it. Arizona State looked terrible last week, all the way down to their disposition. They played like a team who had resigned themselves to losing the moment Sam Leavitt was ruled out. In short, they didn't play like they're capable of playing.
Now, Leavitt is back and the chance for a massive upset in front of their home crowd - on top of catapulting themselves back into the Big 12 race - is more than enough to get this team fired up. It won't be easy, but I think we see a performance similar to last year's win over BYU. And, yes, a field-storming is absolutely warranted with a win here.
Prediction: Sun Devils win 38-35