This has the potential to be a season-defining moment.
Arizona State has recovered somewhat from their early stumble this year, beating Baylor last week on the road to start 1-0 in the Big 12 in their quest to repeat as conference champions. Now, they return to Mountain America Stadium, where they haven't lost since 2023.
There, in front of a sold out student section and wearing their fancy new blackout uniforms, Arizona State hosts undefeated No. 24 TCU. A win here would be a statement game for the Sun Devils, but it won't come easy. Let's see what our panel of experts anticipates for tonight's showdown.
Austen Bundy (3-1)
Okay, fine. I'll be the pessimist. This TCU matchup is going to be extremely difficult but at least the Sun Devils have home field advantage and it'll be a blackout in the student section. The team will need all the energy it can get because the Horned Frogs offense has proven deadly this season and the defense is just as good.
With ASU having a banged up secondary and an offense that seems to just be finding its rhythm, this could be an exciting tight contest or a painful blowout. I'm unfortunately leaning toward the latter.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 38-21
Andrew Hayslett (3-1)
I have been optimistic for the first four games in predicting Arizona State wins, but that is going to change. The Sun Devils are riddled with plenty of key injuries that will hamper them on a short week. Arizona State will keep the game close with TCU and whoever gets the ball last will likely win. I think the Horned Frogs get the ball last and carve up the Sun Devil defense.
Prediction: Sun Devils lose 38-33
Tom Hardon (3-1)
TCU presents the most imposing offense that the Sun Devils have gone up against this season, and coming in to this matchup shorthanded on a short week won’t make matters any easier on the defense.
Last week’s “next man up” mentality will need to be on full display. Arizona State CAN win this game, if Sam Leavitt can spread the ball around effectively like he did against Baylor. My X-factor? The new blackout uniforms that dropped this week. They look like a team ready for a 15 round prizefight.
Prediction: Sun Devils win 45-41
David Howman (2-2)
Last week, I thought the Sun Devils were going to lose to Baylor, and I was kind of close. And while their narrow win over the Bears didn't necessarily inspire supreme confidence in me, I do feel a bit more confident going into this one.
TCU is quite a bit better than Baylor, but the Sun Devils at home are quite a bit better than they are on the road. I think Arizona State is starting to figure out their offensive identity, too, and I buy into the idea that Sam Leavitt will elevate his game in this one by virtue of squaring off against the highly productive Josh Hoover. I see the Sun Devil defense making one or two big plays in crunch time to seal this game up.
Prediction: Sun Devils win 41-31