TEMPE — Shorthanded and on the road, Arizona State will be tested against the Baylor Bears and their high-flying offense on Saturday night to open up Big 12 play.
Senior quarterback Sawyer Robertson serves as the engine of Baylor’s explosive offense. Through the first three weeks of the season, Robertson ranks second in the nation in passing yards with 1,070 and has thrown 10 touchdowns, putting himself in early Heisman Trophy conversations.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham goes way back with the rising star.
“I actually recruited him out of high school and didn’t get him,” Dillingham said. “He is a really good player, and he has had a lot of success over these last two years. It is going to be a good challenge for us.”
After transferring from Mississippi State, Robertson teamed up with quarterback guru, Offensive Coordinator Jake Spavital, at Baylor, and his career has taken off. Spavital has worked with some of the most prolific quarterbacks in the country over the last two decades.
From Heisman winners like Kyler Murray and Johnny Manziel to record-setters like Geno Smith and Case Keenum, Spavital has coached a slew of great quarterbacks — and Robertson might be next.
Senior wide receiver Josh Cameron and senior tight end Michael Trigg lead Robertson’s pack of pass catchers. Five separate Bears have at least 10 catches and 100 yards this season.
Cameron is a do-it-all wideout who can cause problems for the ASU defense on all three levels. Meanwhile, Trigg is a big and reliable target across the middle. Without senior safety Xavion Alford and the status of other key defenders in question, Sun Devil defensive coordinator Brian Ward will be put to the test.
The unit will need sophomore safety Boogie Wilson and redshirt freshman corner Rodney Bimage Jr. to step up in the ASU secondary. The Texas natives have a chance to make an impact in their home state.
“They present a lot of challenges,” Ward said. “Not only with their scheme, what they do and how their coordinator calls the game, they’ve got great talent at all their skill positions.”
Preseason All-American sophomore running back Bryson Washington highlights the Bears’ deep pool of playmakers. Washington has back-to-back 100-yard and two-touchdown games, leading the Big 12 in rushing with 304 yards.
Last season, Washington picked up over 1,000 yards on the ground and 12 scores, earning freshman All-American honors. With Washington in the backfield and Robertson under center, the Bears feature a complete two-dimensional offense.
Defensively, the Bears have holes, specifically up front. In non-conference play, Baylor allowed more than 150 rushing yards per game, including a 137-yard and two-touchdown performance from Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold in its lone loss.
ASU sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt has the mobility to replicate that kind of performance. Between Leavitt and the Sun Devils trio of backs, the offense can find a lot of success on the ground.
To escape Waco with a win, it’ll need a strong rushing performance from, especially without starting wide out, junior Jalen Moss, who will miss his third consecutive game. Moss was expected to make his return this week, but an illness kept him out of practice and will sideline him again Saturday.
Coming in as underdogs for the first time this season, the Sun Devils will carry a different mentality heading into Waco. It’s one that’s embraced by Leavitt.
“I don’t love all the praise,” Leavitt said. “I don’t play better like that.”
With potential Big 12 Championship implications on the line, ASU and Baylor will square off at 4:30 MST at McClain Stadium.
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