Arizona State is gearing up for the biggest game of the year, and not just because it's the oldest rivalry in college football. When the No. 16 Sun Devils head down to Tucson for the latest installment of the Territorial Cup, it will also carry major implications in the race for the Big 12 title.
A win on Saturday over the Wildcats would not technically clinch anything, but it would significantly increase the odds of the Sun Devils making the Big 12 conference champion game. Pulling off that kind of accomplishment while also beating their bitter rival for the first time in three years would be the perfect conclusion to a magical regular season for Arizona State fans.
So can they do it? The Sun Devils are 8.5-point favorites according to FanDuel sportsbook, but the nature of the Duel in the Desert has made it difficult to predict in years prior. We asked our experts, as well as Wildcat expert Alan Rubenstein of Zona Zealots, to give their final thoughts on this game.
Austen Bundy
Arizona State has mastered the art of draining the clock while sustaining an offensive drive. Head coach Kenny Dillingham's game plan is seemingly to bleed opponents to death with three or four long touchdown drives in the first half while they watch from the sidelines helplessly.
The second half is where I worry. Opponents seem to find a second wind with the ASU defense complacent in its early lead. Arizona is averaging 366.8 yards-per-game this season with quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan responsible for a considerable chunk. ASU has given up 400 or more yards in each of its last three games. That habit must end if Dillingham wants to be on the other side of a trap game with a berth to the Big 12 Championship clinched.
Prediction: 34-31, Sun Devils
David Howman
On paper, Arizona State should win this game with ease. Few teams in college football are hotter than the Sun Devils, whose only loss in the last two months came on the road with a backup quarterback. Meanwhile, Arizona has lost six of their last seven with a combination of wildly inconsistent offense and pretty inept defense.
That said, this is one of the most bitter rivalries in the sport, and the Wildcats would love nothing more than to spoil the Sun Devils' magical year by denying them a trip to the Big 12 title game. I think we see an offensive explosion from both teams that ultimately comes down to which team holds the ball last. With what we've seen from Kenny Dillingham and his game management this year, I think that ends up being Arizona State, but the Arizona native will have fans sweating up until the final moments.
Prediction: Sun Devils win 45-41.
Alan Rubenstein
It is tough to trust Arizona laying the 8.5 and more so on the money line. Houston and West Virginia are the only games where Arizona has been competitive over the last six contests. Playing Arizona State, who is one of the hottest teams nationally, is a bad matchup for Arizona.
Prediction: the Wildcats might keep it close, but Arizona State covers.