Rebounding from a tough 2024, The School Down South looms large

The biggest week of the season is finally here, and for the first time since 2017, both teams will be entering this matchup with winning records.

Adding fuel to the meaning of this matchup, Arizona State is still alive for a berth in the Big 12 championship game, making this the most meaningful game since the rivalry determined the winner of the Pac-12 South in 2014. Pending the release of the CFP rankings on Tuesday night, this could be the first ranked matchup between the two teams since that same 2014 season.

In his second season on the sidelines, head coach Brent Brennan has led a resurgence in Tucson, entering this week with an 8-3 record (5-3 in Big 12 play). First-year offensive coordinator Seth Doege has played a major role in jump-starting quarterback Noah Fifita. After a down year in 2024, Fifita has emerged as one of the conference leaders at quarterback, ranking third in the Big 12 in passing yards (2,677) and touchdowns (25). An agile pocket passer with the mobility to extend plays outside the pocket, Fifita is one of just six quarterbacks in FBS with three games of 4+ passing touchdowns in 2025.

With Tetairoa McMillan gone to the NFL Draft, Fifita needed a revamping in the wide receiver room if there was to be any hope of success this season. Six wide receivers with at least 10 receptions are averaging at least 10 yards per catch, with senior transfer Kris Hutson getting the majority of Fifita's attention. At a smaller frame than McMillan, Hutson has garnered comparisons to the recently drafted receiver with his ability to get above the secondary and make difficult contested catches. His numbers of 645 yards and 4 touchdowns on 50 receptions easily stand him out as Fifita's No. 1 receiver.

Sophomore Tre Spivey has emerged as the big play threat, averaging nearly 20 yards pre reception and leading the team with 6 touchdown catches. Javin Whatley and Chris Hunter each have contributed over 300 receiving yards each and a combined 6 touchdown catches.

The play in the backfield has been an area of great improvement this season with senior transfer Ismail Mahdi maintaining a consistent presence as the rushing leader with 738 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Not necessarily a dual-threat back, he has produced 90 yards and a touchdown on 12 catches coming out of the backfield. Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig add to the rushing depth, putting up 703 yards and 10 touchdowns, 8 of those coming from Reescano alone. Reescano has seen his value jump in recent weeks, finding the end zone three times in the win over Baylor last week, taking home Earl Campbell Award honorable mention honors for his Week 13 performance.

The running game improvement has come in large part thanks to the play of the offensive line. Alexander Doost stood out in particular in last week's win over Baylor, not allowing any pressures on the 16 dropbacks that he was in the game for, and recording an overall blocking grade of 75.5 according to PFF (60 considered average on the 0-100 scale). Right tackle Matthew Lado helped to secure the edge for both running backs with a 70.0 run blocking grade while filling in for senior Tristan Bounds, while senior center Ka'ena Decambra created holes up the middle to dice the Baylor defense up and down the field.

Defensively, first-year defensive coordinator (and former Sun Devil defensive coordinator) Danny Gonzales has transformed this unit into a blitz-heavy team that thrives on turnovers and pressure. After allowing 31.8 points per game in 2024, this defense has vastly reduced that total to 20.3 points per game, tied for 29th in the nation. Their 306.2 yards per game in total defense ranks 19th nationally, and a 7th ranked pass defense with 159.5 yards per game, up from 103rd nationally last season. Dalton Johnson and Jay'Vion Cole are absolute ball hawks in the secondary, with Cole leading the Big 12 with 4 interceptions and Johnson leading the team with 94 tackles (46 solo). Tiaoalii Savea and Deshawn McKnight lead a strong defensive front that puts increased pressure on opposing quarterbacks, while Taye Brown and Max Harris anchor the second level of this crackdown defense.

As a fun non-game related note, the Territorial Cup has long been an opportunity for both teams to unveil unique uniforms or field designs for the matchup. After the running Sparky logo was featured on a white shell for the first time ever, ASU Grounds Crew has hinted at a bigger feature for the best mascot in college football for this week's game.

There is never any love lost between these two schools and this year is no exception, ranked as the most intense rivalry in the nation. The 99th edition of the Territorial Cup will kick off this Friday night from Mountain America Stadium at 7pm on FOX.